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
unordinary 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.