Change

An instant that is all it takes. “For what?” you ask. To change the world.

Today we celebrate the life of the Rev. Thomas Bray who came over to the colony of Maryland (the land of Queen Mary) in 1696. In the blink of an eye, just ten weeks, he changed the structure of their churches, opened new schools, started a lending library program, developed a discernment process for raising up local pastors, and renewed the spirit within the entire missionary territory. While we remember him most notably for beginning a missionary support network, the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, and an educational and publishing program, the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, both of which still function today, his two and half months in America provoke a humbling question to ponder: how do we work with God to transform the world? How can we be like Thomas and like those disciples in Luke’s Gospel lesson?

A great story within the contemplative branch of Christianity exists that just might help us to answer this question. A long, long time ago, in a galaxy country far, far away lived a man. This man was an ordinary fellow. However, he had an extraordinary desire: to change the world. So, this man set out to do just that.

First, he went off as a young man to try and change the world. He traveled far and wide. He saw many sites of the ancient world, but after years of struggle he realized that kings and queens, armies and navies, bishops and priests, and all the powers that be have a hard time listening to the voice of one man. So, the man went back to his own country.

Once back in his home country he set out to change everything there. He worked tirelessly to influence the ruler of the land. He talked to those in the royal court, but they were too busy entertaining and scheming to take over the throne to listen to the voice of one man. So, the man went back to his own town.

In his own town the man went door-to-door to try to bring about change. He sought to care for those who were injured, poor, or otherwise needy. There he made some progress. However, when he tried to those in power within his city again he met resistance. The governor was too consumed with running the affairs of the land to hear the voice of one man. So, the man went back to his own home, which he had left as a young man.

As he caught his own reflection in pond near his home, he realized he was no longer a young man, but instead wore the face of someone much older. In all his travels, in all his work, and in all his challenges he had sought to change everything else, but sitting in his home he realized that what he had neglected to challenge and transform was himself. To change the world, one must start with oneself. A woman or man cannot change the world without first changing herself or himself.

We live in a world that has more problems than solutions. Poverty, famine, disease, racism, sexism, bigotry, violence, and fear sweep across our globe. We are in desperate need for change. God yearns for us to help remake the face of the earth, but to do so we have to start first with ourselves.

If you desire to be part of this change, if you want to be like Thomas Bray or the disciples, if you feel God tugging on your heart to bring Good News to those who most need it, do not first go out to change the world, your country, or even your city. Instead, start with yourself. Take a few moments today to stop. Turn off the TV, silence the phone, close the laptop, and find a quiet place to feel God moving within you. Allow God to first work on you, in your heart, then work outward from there. All of us are called to help God transform this world into a place of love. Changing the world may happen in an instant, but it is the instant when learn to be with God. All the doing must come later.