It Must Start with You

July 15, 2024

From Pastor Joseph Wamack

Hello MAC Family! I hope you are well this week. I hope you have had good experiences, some laughter, some encouraging words said to you, all this week. Perhaps more money in the bank or the promise of a better tomorrow. I have been thinking about the power of choice. We will even be starting a new sermon series talking about choice next month.

Below is a powerful quote, written around 1100 AD. It is from a tomb of an Anglican bishop among the crypts of Westminster Abbey in London:

"When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world.

“As I grew older and wiser, I discovered the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country. But it, too, seemed immovable.

“As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those closest to me, but alas, they would have none of it.

“And now, as I lie on my deathbed, I suddenly realize: If I had only changed myself first, then by example I would have changed my family. “From their inspiration and encouragement, I would then have been able to better my country, and who knows, I may have even changed the world." 

Sobering words, aren’t they? To reach the end of your life and find that you attempted a noble pursuit-to change the world and make it a better place-but you approached it from the wrong direction.

Changing the world is a great desire, but it must start within the individual human heart. It must start with me changing me. God created each of us as unique individuals. He wants to recreate His image within us, but that is done when we each make that individual choice to open our hearts and minds to Him and let the Holy Spirit begin His rejuvenating work in us

I have been married almost 41 years-and it has taken me 40 4/5th years to realize I cannot change my wife. Darn it-I tried! I have tried pleading, cajoling, demanding, berating, humiliating, coaxing, bargaining, and/or bribing. None of those methods worked. She-and everyone else- will only change when they’re motivated from the inside to create change. I cannot change my two children either. I tried that too with even worse results. They thought I was old and out of touch to begin with! They never bothered to listen to the old man.

But there is one person I can change. I can change myself. I can make choices myself, commit to healthy ways and decide-that through God’s grace, I am going to be the best “Joey” I can be today. I have failed many times; I need His grace. I must fall at the foot of the cross again and again and reclaim His mercy. Let the entire world start to be changed today beginning with me.

Realize today my friends-you are made in the Image of a Divine Creator who loves you. His power to think and to do is within your grasp. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” Philippians 4:13 says. Allow the Creator to touch YOU, to use YOU, and affect the world that way-one conversation, one action, one movement at a time-starting with YOU.