"This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him." 1 John 4:9 NIV

Change the world. It's part of our mission statement at Wheatland. But what does it mean? How does it affect lives?

Begin with Jesus. Focus on him and what he's already accomplished. Too often we focus on the negative. Call it human nature but narcissism doesn't belong to a single generation it's part of the sin problem everyone deals with daily. We will tend to our own needs, wants and desires before we move toward the lost and broken world. Following Jesus is counter-cultural and counter intuitive.

Following Jesus into a classroom where the bully sits with a posse who wants to threaten you for a reason that eludes you is counter-cultural. It doesn't make sense. But, Jesus says, "Love your enemies." Following Jesus into the office space with someone who consistently ridicules you for what you believe is counter-intuitive. But Jesus says, "I will be with you." Pontificating about why Jesus doesn't do something about poverty, sickness, disease, hunger, child trafficking, domestic abuse, addictions, war, physical or mental disabilities, or any other of the world's problems only pushes the responsibility we have to respond to them that much further away. But, Jesus replies, "Do you love me? Feed my sheep."

Change the world is an activistic assumption. Something is wrong. You notice it. Maybe it keeps gnawing at you or seeps into your mind when you least expect it. Maybe you go absolutely bonkers when you see it. The challenge is to respond to what Jesus is calling you to do about it. Imagine the world with a little less of 'it' because you chose to respond. A little less loneliness. A little less agony. A little less hopelessness. Maybe we can change the world.

-Pastor Jen

Here's a little inspiration. "Keep Changing the World" by Mike's Chair.