Saving the planet

Go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19).

A lot of people want to change the world.  For some it’s about making things better for the sake of their children and grandchildren.  For others it’s about sparing future generations from the pain and struggles they themselves have been forced to endure.  And some work for lasting change because they want their name to be remembered with respect, long after they have been laid to rest. 

Sadly, trying to change the world is ultimately futile.  Our children still march off to war, like every generation before them.  Despite conservation efforts, species are still going extinct and people all around the world are sickened by pollution.  We have all sorts of streets and parks and buildings named for individuals who are deceased, but only few of them are remembered for who they were.

The world is just too big to change.  Nature tears down what man has made; weeds and rust and rot can reclaim anything that we build.  Many who are proud and greedy are more than happy to use violence and trickery to achieve their goals; despite all the efforts made to educate and negotiate, crime and war still occur with alarming frequency.  Despite all the talk about saving our planet or making the world a better place for our children, things really haven’t changed significantly for the better.

But working for change needn’t be futile; you just have to focus your energy in the right direction.  There is only one person who has the power to effect real and lasting change—that person is our Lord and Savior.  If you want to change the world, you can have a positive impact by working for the Son of God.  Jesus changes the world one heart at a time.  He changes individuals by convincing them that they are sinners—that they make bad decisions and don’t follow through on their promises to do the right thing.  When their guilt hits home, He offers forgiveness and the opportunity to try again, now guided by His wisdom.  As these individuals see where they’ve gone wrong and start following Christ, their behavior improves and influences those around them for the better of us all.  If you really want to work for a kinder and gentler world, the best thing you can do is share the message of Christ; tell your friends and coworkers and relatives about the Savior, and support mission work both overseas and right here in America.