And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.  (Rom. 12:2)

 

The following words were written on the tomb of an Anglican bishop in the crypts of Westminster Abbey:

 

When I was young and free and my imagination had

no limits, I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser, I discovered the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country.

 

But it too seemed immovable.

 

As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only family, those

closest to me, but alas, they would have none of it.

 

And now as I lay on my deathbed, I suddenly realize

if I had only changed myself first, then by example I would have changed my family.

 

From their inspiration and encouragement, I would

then have been able to better my country and, who knows, I may have even changed the world.

~ Author Unknown

 

As a pastor, there are times that I have to do marriage counselling sessions with couples.  Most husbands seek for change in their wives and most wives seek change in their husbands.  But, almost none seem to seek change for themselves. In their minds, the problems lie outside themselves. That’s the way it seems in most of life.  Even Christians seek change in others or change in their church but hardly ever seek change in the themselves. 

 

My Dad had a plague on one of the churches he pastored when I was a teen that read, “If every church member were like me what kind of church would my church be?”

                                               

If we wish to change those around us, seek personal change and see if others change around you.  How do I change?  The answer is in the above verses of Scripture.

 

Bro. Larry