A Pastor’s Perspective

“Lord, change me!” by Mike Hill, pastor of Calvary Chapel Aberdeen (mjhill@ida.net)

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 I can change a light-bulb.  I can change my dirty socks.  I’ve even discovered that it is possible for me to change my habits.  Yet, I keep getting reminded in life that it is impossible for me to change someone else.  That’s God’s job.  Sometimes I wish I could change certain people.  I wish I could change the leaders of our country!  For example, many decisions that are made by our government concerning abortion, homosexuality, the economy, and foreign policy cause me concern and frustration.  I want to say, “Hey, ever thought about asking some of us about these decisions?!”  The direction of our country feels beyond my control.  What do I do?  I pray.  I choose to communicate love and truth to others through the grace that God supplies.  Changing others is God’s job.

     I realize this principle even applies on the personal level.  I can’t even change a family member!  That’s God’s job.  However, I can rely on God’s grace to treat individuals according to how they need to be treated.  In other words, I can allow God to change me.  Pastor Chuck Swindoll, a seasoned saint in the ministry wrote,

     “The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company ... a church ... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past ... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude ... I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you ... we are in charge of our Attitude.”

      What type of attitude do we need to shoot for?  What is the target?  The attitude or “mind” of Christ (Philippians 2:5-11).  That is the attitude and approach to life God desires to weave within the fiber of our being.  So, the next time you’re tempted to change somebody, start with yourself.  Allow God to work in you “both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13b).  Then pass on the love and truth to others, allowing God to change them—perhaps even consider sharing truth and love with our governing officials.  David was on track and onto something good when he prayed:

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23, 24).