Making a change in anything takes a focused effort.
We can all agree on that.
We don't agree on what qualifies as change though.
Example:
There was a discussion at a benevolence meeting to discuss where funds should go to meet various needs within the community and abroad.
Needs such as money to support a young pastor in another state, an expensive mission trip to Haiti to build a house for a sponsor child, and relief money for an area struck by a natural disaster came up.
All of these were approved with little to no discussion.
Then the topic of a local need camp up.
This need required a small donation to help fund a purchase to help some individuals get on their way to stability.
This topic was discussed a lot. Heatedly too.
All because of our different views on change.
What was the difference between the local need and the other needs?
Nothing other than opinions on which need would bring about the desired change we want to see once the need is met.
That's it.
We look at those we help all the time and compare them, analyse them asking, "If we help will the situation change? Will the person change?"
The problem with that is we just don't agree on what "change" is and so we argue or walk away or whatever our response.
Then nothing gets done.
Everyone whether it's a homeless person, a leader, church member etc...get tripped up in some way by this concept.
I wrestle with it all the time.
When we are faced with a conflict between what we think and another person thinks we have an option.
We can stretch ourselves and consider their point of view.
We may even ultimately still disagree with them.
But to hold on to our ideas so closely that we are willing to sacrifice what's important on our altar of 'being right" only causes damage.
If we want change to happen, it takes work, patience and a willingness to see things from beyond our own ideas.
People, both homeless persons, community members, and church members all get tripped up in some way by that question.
It haunts me.
I've seen people walk away from ministry all the time because of this question.
Is there a change enough?
I wrestle with it and have wanted to walk away.
