You Can Change the World

OCTOBER 28, 2019

Jess Connolly, Author, proverbs 31.org

“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.” 1 John 1:8-10 (NIV)

I’m often way too passionate for the comfort of my people. I’ll ask my husband deep and probing questions like, “If you could change anything about our life today — what would it be?” and he’ll say, “Honestly Jess — right now I just want some coffee!”

But humor me for a moment … do we want to change the world?

Handling just the basics feels like it leaves me exhausted — do I really have the margin, much less the capacity, to change the world? Do I even want to?

If I’m still for just a moment, I remember I absolutely want to try. The pain of the world is too great to stay busy and drown out the trauma around me.

So yeah, I want to. But where to start?

We’ve got another choice to make: How?

Do we want to use only our strength, power and abilities? How will we continually muster the energy and wisdom to do good things? Big things?

What if I get tired? Or scared? Or worse yet, flat out fail?

I know it’s good to determine the gifts God intentionally gave us, to let our hearts be burdened by the problems around us. It’s absolutely worth it to take steps of obedience to love others well.

But there’s also another way!

If we want to change the world: Simply say we’re sorry.

Today’s key verse reminds us about the character of God when we acknowledge our need for grace. “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us” (1 John 1:8-10).

But when we act like we don’t need grace, thinking we’re sinless or without fault — we disagree with everything we know to be true of God. I don’t want to pretend as if I don’t need God, pretending as if He’s not all the good things my soul is craving.

I wonder why I don’t live like that all the time. Because as a believer in Jesus, there’s always a temptation to hide my weaknesses, pretend I’ve done it all right, and focus only on my successes. It’s easier to act like I’ve got it all together! (And everyone else seems to be doing it so well!)

But then — I’d be missing out on God’s power that I can access when I ask for forgiveness, allowing me to move forward in grace.

The crazy good news of 1 John 1:8-10 is that when I am weak, He is faithful, just and forgiving. Not only do we get the life-changing power of His perfection bringing purpose to our weaknesses, but we get Him … we get grace, we get forgiveness.

Believing you’re the girl to change the world doesn’t have to be an empty message as you try to forget all you’ve done wrong. Instead, it can be a gospel-centered, power-packed anthem of truth when you recognize God uses your strengths and weaknesses.

You have been created intentionally by a God who loves you, sees you and hopes for the best in you. Your weaknesses are not a liability to God. All of you is loved and held, and everything is redeemable. The rest of your life is dependent on His capacity — not your ability to cover up who you are.

You are the girl for the job. Not in spite of your weaknesses, but because His power is made perfect in them. We’re going to be in this world, and we might as well let God use us to change it.

Father, thank You that Your grace is for us, choosing us when we wouldn’t have chosen You and holding us when we miss the mark. Help us believe so furiously in Your goodness that we’re bold in our repentance and confession. Humble our hearts and open our eyes — help us change the world by saying I’m sorry when we need to. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY

Acts 3:19, “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” (NIV)

James 5:16, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (NIV)