To Change the World
(Romans 12:2 July 28th, 2003)
A short while ago in Korea, there was a major demonstration held by the railroad workers. The slogan they shouted was “To change the world of railroad by stopping it”. Strange it is to think that, people whose livelihood depends on the railroad, by quitting and demonstrating, would lose their jobs, but how do they change the world like that? In other words, it is to give those who use the railroad discomfort by not working, this is not and higher goal will not change the world by closing down the workforce. It is the same with if teachers are not paid enough, so by shutting down the schools would that change the world? Or if a public office worker stops their work in the office would put something like that on the slogan?
There is a disease called the “Argentine Virus” it is the workforce demanding only their power and not work. Because of such viruses, the order of workforce is broken and cannot function. It is the essence of workers doing less to gain more. It is not all negative at all, but by having a selfish gain, and not caring about the other party’s feels, the idea all needs to be reconsidered. 60 years ago, Argentina was one of the top 10 richest nations. After Juan Domingo Peron took power in 1945, the country had become bankrupt and gone down to only $3,500 per household and fell out of the rankings.
Our hopes and future inter-depends on relationship with others. Small or large, it all affects everyone in and around us. Our acts do not go out on our own, but in a chain to everyone. It influences even those around us by the way we live and act.
A month or so ago, while I was heading home I heard something on the news on the radio. In south of San Francisco, there is a small café called the “Phoenix”. There are only 4 desks and 3 more outside, and is a small shop, but many people would stand around the line outside to get served. The café workers are form rehabilitation centers, and many of them are unfamiliar with having a job, and is disabled. Several of the workers there still have hard time working or even cashiering is awkward at times, it is a self-taught and motivated working place to learn. People come there to encourage the workers and wait long time. The person who started this is Daniel Michaels.
While attending college in the 90s, Michaels had worked diligently and as a result, was able to set up many cafes like the Phoenix. Isn’t he like someone who is changing the world? The work he does to make disabled people who are awkward with the society, to encourage and make them fit better change the world?
The most important thing in a person to person relationship is “giving”. It is the proper way to have a beautiful relationship between you and your neighbors. Even the bible says in Luke 6:31, “And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.” It is the Golden Rule of Life. If one serves other likewise be served, the wave of that motion would become a huge blessing to the world. The joy of giving is nothing like compared to anything else.
There is a saying of the “Teresa Tactics’ Like Mother Teresa, the heart would become healthy when you give to everyone else. Mother Teresa said the following:
“I do this work because I love God. Whatever I do for my brethren, it is why I work”
When one wants to fill their own greedy gain, then fights occur. The fight is the wrong and corrupt way to solve the problem. As fights occur, there is increase in violence. Violence cannot change the world. Gandhi said, “If you want the world to change, you first have to be the changed person.” Likewise, Socrates said, “To move the world, you first have to be the moved one.”
But the fallen human race is all but selfish. Their goals are to have anything and the goal is to have “it”. It is thought to have more is to be happy, and be safer. How cans the fallen spirit, who refuses to share, can be more caring to others? That is the reason why people cannot naturally change the world into a more desirable place to live.
Like it is emphasized in the book of Ephesians, by becoming a “new person”, a “new culture” can be cultivated. By becoming the new human, a more desirable nation can be made and the only way to do it is through Jesus. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
That is the only way!
As we accept God who had sacrificed his only son, who we served as our Lord to bear our sins, would change us to change the world. I give thanks to God that in this valuable work, there are people like me and countless others who had been called to this work. Finally, in Romans 12:2 there is this;
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing, you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
(July 28th 2003)
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What is a healthy church? 
To Change the World