This is most likely more my speed than posting on facebook because I get to articulate more about the thoughts traveling around in my head.
We'll give this a go...
This is one of the benches in the breezeway at BMH (Bahamas Methodist Habitat) on Eleuthera. The wise words attributed to Gandhi embellish the frame - "Be the Change You want to See"
So, I like to be sure of things and check sources and well, I discover this popular quote is a "bumper sticker" version of a much longer quotation and it may not have the same meaning as the original.
According to an article in the New York Times written by Brian Morton in Aug of 2011 - Sure enough, it turns out there is no reliable documentary evidence for the quotation. The closest verifiable remark we have from Gandhi is this: “If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him. ... We need not wait to see what others do.”
I must say, I like the bumper sticker version much better.
However, in the real quote, Gandhi starts with the phrase "If we could..." He saw in his world the difficulty to change.
Change is not easy. Whether it's a new haircut to a total makeover.
Sometimes God gives us those "new haircut" moments. Like going to a conference or a weekend retreat or on a mission trip. It's new, sometimes we like it, sometimes it is challenging to get used to, sometimes it makes us look like someone new or gets us going on changing our image. We realize it may just be temporary. We are hoping the new hair style will make us feel good. But we all know we'll need another haircut in a few weeks. Conferences, retreats and mission trips can be this way. It's a boost, maybe challenging, maybe inspiring, they can give us a push to make a change or engage in a new way of thinking or living when we return home.
Now the total makeovers God plants in life - those need preparation. New clothes, new style, new look. And for it to last - the makeover better help you to be who YOU are, not someone else's version of who you think you should be. God's total makeovers could begin in reading the Bible daily, changing something in your lifestyle that holds you back (getting healthy) or following a call to ministry.
If we change our nature...
our habits, our negative thinking, our fear, our insecurity, ...
We can make a difference n the world.
Step out in Faith, Get out of the Boat!
by Linda
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