Changing the world (I am the problem)

These days, the world seems to be full of problems. We see the ISIS ruthlessly executing the hostages now and then; we hear news about people committing suicide basically every day; and we see our teachers, parents and friends bothered by all sorts of illnesses and unhappy events all the time. We quarrel, we complain, we blame and we hate. And all this negativity won’t go away.

I suppose everyone has dreamt of changing the world. We would try to settle the wealth disparity problem, so that everyone is happy, and we would try to take away the whole concept of homework and exams, so that we also become happy. Sometimes we would wonder if it is actually possible, because someone in history has really done something great and changed the world, no matter with awe-inspiring plays like William Shakespeare, altruistic acts like Mother Teresa, or innovative inventions like Steve Jobs. Recently, the near-overnight rise to fame of student leader Joshua Wong makes the dream of changing the world so much more tangible to us, as if we can all do it if we are more determined, more passionate, or more talented.

More often, though, we think it’s a dream too big, and as we grow older we begin to give up the idea of changing the world, because it sounds too idealistic and unreachable.

Indeed we may not be able to really change the world, but we can change our buying habits, our dieting routines, or our way of life. Yet, I honestly don’t believe we will be solving the greater human conflict, THE deep-rooted problem, with our efforts, which is the issue that needs the greatest change. The reason, I guess, is that this recurrent problem is not about the whole political atmosphere, nor the ozone hole somewhere down in Australia, nor the lack of integrity of our political leaders. People are unhappy and unresolved, and the problem is not with the surroundings.

The fact is that WE are the problem.

The Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy, writer of the book War and Peace once said, “Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.” I think he has made a wise point in revealing that by not willing to change ourselves, the world is not going to be fixed, at all.

I think every conscious person has a moment where he stops blaming the problems in the world on humanity and authority and starts to face himself. I hate this part though. It is so difficult to deal with the notion that the problem is not out there, but the needy beast that lives inside my own chest.

 I am not talking about non-Christians only; it’s about every human being. Who says Christians are flawless? When you see a Christian, you don’t always see Jesus. Most of us are misrepresenting Jesus, as we do all sorts of things Jesus didn’t tell us to do and failed to act according to his commandments and I am no exception.

Jesus said to love one another, even my enemies, but I only love those who love me, or those who look very lovable. I am very judgmental about people who I don’t like and I speak ill of them even in public, and more often I speak behind their backs, which is definitely not what Jesus wants. And sometimes I am thinking I don’t even love my parents much. And I always become jealous of my friends, although I know that God wants me to appreciate them and learn from them. Jesus said to feed the poor, heal the sick, and take care of the weak. I have never done very much about that. I only feed my own desires. Jesus said I should be humble, but I tend to overemphasise my own effort and take all the credits instead of honouring God who is gracious and loving to me, who has always sinned. I know that a lot of people do not believe in Christ because people like me, who know Him, do not enjoy the relationship with Him and do not live as if Christ is living inside. We worry about things, we whine about our misfortune, and we focus on ourselves. There’s a lot more, you know.

If you agree with me, then here is the way out. Jesus Christ did not come to condemn us; He came to change us. The same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead two thousand years ago and the love that involved sending Jesus to die for us are here right now to transform our weaknesses in our lives into strengths.

Do you want God to change your life? He will — in His own way. I know God wants to change you. He sees the prince or princess in your life. He sees what you can become. He sees your potential, and he wants to change you, every single one of you, to become a better version of you.

Maybe you are now in a situation that is somewhat beyond your control, and this is God trying to get your attention. But we never change until we honestly face and admit our faults, sins, weaknesses, and mistakes. Maybe you have been limiting God by making excuses, blaming other people, or rationalizing. Or maybe you are very comfortable with your current situation and you don’t want to leave your comfort zone. Or maybe you think you are not really a problem and there are other worse people out there. But we all know we are not perfect. It may be hard to drop your mask and say, “God, I have a weakness. I have a problem.” Until you do this, things will just stay the same as they are now. But when you do this, then God can go to work, and you are changed for the rest of your life. When He does the changing, it will become permanent. You will not have to worry about your willpower and staying with it because you will be cooperating with God, relaxing and trusting Him.

Just as what Mother Teresa has said, ‘“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” If today we all start by admitting our problems, ask God for forgiveness, and let God change us, the world will be a different place tomorrow. Let’s pray for the courage to be changed.