But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23 TNIV).

The world needs lots of positive change. Do you agree?

There needs to be less violence in the world. There are too many angry people on the road and in our workplaces. There are too many abusive words spoken in homes. And there are too many people who never get spoken to except to be criticized, put down, or made fun of. Things don't have to be that way. You and I can change this hateful pattern and drain off some of that savage anger.

The world needs more joy. It doesn't take any great effort to acknowledge people on the sidewalk, in elevators, or at restaurants. Why, it is even possible to smile at clerks and customers. There's something almost magical when clerk and customer smile simultaneously — and speak pleasantly. It starts with a simple, natural smile directed at another human being.

Don't wait for someone else to take the initiative!

We certainly need increased kindness to each other too. Every time you cross paths with another human being, you have the opportunity to see and affirm the image of God she bears. You can build her up or tear her down. If you do the former, you are honoring God and affirming human dignity; if you do the latter, you are not so much insulting that person as the God in whose likeness she was created. So racism, sexism, and the other hateful "-isms" of the world are out of place.

Summing up, I suppose it all translates into Jesus' call for us to love one another. Maybe that's why less rage and more smiles, fewer incivilities and more kindnesses don't sound like such novel ideas. But, hey, the notion here isn't novelty but need, not originality but urgency. Don't you think these little things would make the world a better place for all of us? "But it's too simplistic!" somebody protests. Are you sure? The world gets changed not only by the mighty exploits of its occasional superstar heroes, but also by the cumulative little deeds of each soul who aspires to a holy thing.

Don't wait for someone else to take the initiative in your workplace, at home, or in your church. No leader needs to give you permission. Just do these right, positive, and wholesome things yourself. If you must, do them alone. Go person to person with them, and God will make you into a world-changer.

Pray to be the change you’d like to see.

 

Print this Article Send it to a Friend Heartlight encourages you to share this material with others in church bulletins, personal emails and other non-commercial uses. Please see our Usage Guidelines for more information.	Filling the Vacuum More Than Falling Dominoes Filling the Earth with God's Goodness RubelShelly.com
	ALL of Heartlight        --- ARTICLES   A Taste of Home   Caring Touch   Diary of God   Hope for Life   Hope from the Hill Country   Just for Men   Just for Women   Leading in Hope   Love, Sex & Marriage   Making Life Work   Prayer for the Nation   Single...Not Alone   Special Features   Timely Truths   Together in His Grace   Two Minute Meditations        --- DEVOTIONALS   Charles Spurgeon   Daily Wisdom   My Utmost for His Highest   Praying with Paul   Quotemeal   Today's Verse   What Jesus Did

© 2007 Used by permission. From Rubel Shelly's "FAX of Life" printed each Tuesday. See Faith Matters for previous issues of the "FAX of Life."

Title: "The Change You Want to See"
Author: Rubel Shelly
Publication Date: October 11, 2007

The Man God Uses by Henry and Tom Blackaby Will show you how an ordinary man can be transformed into an extraordinary servant of God.

Rubel Shelly has preached for the Woodmont Hills Church of Christ in Nashville, Tennessee since 1978. He is the author of more than 20 books. For more details, click here.

More Heartlight Feeds

Get Heartlight articles and devotionals by email FREE every day! Daily Heartlight Today's Verse What Jesus Did! Quotemeal

More Information