GlocalNet

Books, articles, organizations, people - are always talking about changing the world - me included.  What do they want to see changed?  What is their vision of a different world?  What sets people apart that talks about it?  Those are critical questions.  Last week I was with different people of different groups speaking of the same thing and I kept thinking about that.  I got mail with different people asking for money to change the world to something that they saw as better - we all do. 

First, are they doing something - or are they just talking about it.  This will cut out about 95% of the people who would change the world.  They may gripe, complain, give eloquent speeches and even ask for money - but in terms of sweating and getting their hands dirty at the grassroots level of change - they don’t.  I don’t care that much about the eloquence of someone’s words as much as I do the dirt under their fingernails from what they’ve been doing - that speaks volumes to me. 

Second, are they changing?  The reason a lot of people want to change things is to make it more compatible with who they are and the world they want - not necessarily what is right or best.  That will take out about 95% of that 5% left that are doing things.  This is why I love the “Gospel of the Kingdom” because it’s a comprehesive God view, and action on his part that is right and does best.  It’s funny how all the change in most people’s minds - has to be on the other.  Change will require my mind, my views, my actions, and even my faith to grow and change.  I am convinced of this - even as evangelicals - we really don’t recognize our fallen nature - we speak as fallen men and women with such confidence of what should be done without ever questioning truth and meaning.