The Change Inside

-How often do we make a decision based on what we will get out of the outcome?
-How often do we think of someone else's feelings over our own?
-How often do we think of those nobody else thinks about?

"Then Jesus said to his host, 'When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.'" (Luke 14:12-14)

Now when some read this, they will try to take it too literally. Every time they have a dinner or get together, they can ONLY invite those in need. That's not what it's talking about at all. There's a much deeper lesson to be learned.

We (especially Americans) are spoiled. We know that most of the time if we give something, we will get something back in return. There are some people still today who give without thinking of what they will get. But it rarely happens.

Don't get me wrong, a lot of people try to think of others over themselves, but our human nature always wants to think of US first. It's all about the power of ME.

Now here's the thing: to truly have a heart for others, we must first learn to allow God to lead our hearts. The minute we stop fighting His will we will understand what it means to love, give and be compassionate.

People see Christians today as busy bodies who start charities but don't put their whole heart into what they have started. I am so blessed to know many people who have put heart and compassion in their ministries; people who are so passionate about what they felt God calling them to do that others are in awe at their heart for someone other than themselves. A few of them are Mission Tyler/One Love Revolution, My Brother's Keeper, SCRUBS Medical Mission, Church Under A Bridge, All We Are, Men Of Issachar, Glory Development, and Hunger For Love. These people have changed lives because they decided to change THEIR life first and foremost.

We all have our daily routine. We go to work, clean the house, make dinner for the family, get the kids here and there, travel, etc. Whatever it may be. Let me as this, though: how often do we take time our of our busy schedule when a need arises? When someone stops us on the street to talk, when we drive by a homeless man or woman. Do we think "I don't have time for this" and go on with our life, or do we see through eyes on compassion, desiring to love on others the way we have been loved by Christ?

We were given a life and a choice. God never said we have to be at a certain place at a certain time, or help a certain number of people every week, or attend a certain amount of church events. He allows us to choose what we spend our life doing. But one who is devoted to Christ is also devoted to letting others know about Christ. We, as Christians, have one life on this earth; after that it is eternity in heaven. If we waste our whole life here doing nothing but what's easy and fun, what has our life amounted to? What have we really accomplished that we (or CHRIST) can be proud of?

To change the world, we must first change ourselves. The problem is not with EVERYONE, but with every ONE. If we take a stand in our ow lives, it will impact more people than we can even imagine.