Imagine what the world would look like if we made a conscious effort – if all of mankind did – to seek to know the One true God with all their heart, mind, soul, and strength. Imagine if instead of playing God, we sought Him. While continuing to imagine what would take place, what kind of outcomes would their be in our relationships, our health, our workplaces, our homes, our society if we not only knew God’s precepts and word, but actually lived by them.
The world would be completely different.
Sin would not exist. There would be no more war. Violence and abuse would be unfathomable. Relationships with family, friends, co-workers, and even acquaintances would become priorities for how we spend our time, energy, and resources. Families would not be broken apart by lust or boredom. People would not be valued more or less for their appearance, education, or for their political or religious beliefs. The great divide between wealthy and poor would fade, while compassion and generosity would increase.
I can’t even really fathom all the many ways that this reality would be altered… I just know, that the world we live in would begin to look much more like what I imagine heaven to be like – and less like the self-centered sinful place we are currently residing in.
A big part of our problem is that I believe we made a switch in whom we are living for. Instead of living with God as our priority, we have made ourselves the priority. My thoughts and emotions are superior. My wants and needs take precedence over yours. My lens and perspective are what I believe are accurate. Yet, what I see, think, know, want, and believe myself to need are skewed. They are only a thread in the tapestry of this life and the only One who can even make sense of what is true, right, good, and accurate is the artist who creates the tapestry. The One who gave the instructions which we so regularly choose not to heed or follow.
We are living to please people and not God. And we are blowing it.
“Our purpose is to please God, not people.” (1 Thessalonians 2:4) God is calling us – desiring us to live for Him. To seek Him. To place Him first. It is only when we are obedient to the Master Creator that the evils of this world will fade.
God wants us to love one another. He wants us to live holy and blameless lives. He wants us to never grow tired of doing good. It is His call for us.
“Now may our LORD Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say.” (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17) And “May the LORD lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 3:5)
Want to change the world? Choose to live for, seek after, and submit in obedience to the only One who can bring this about.
Blessings!