Changing our world—what a huge undertaking! Agreed? Can we even begin to wrap our arms around the subject without getting overwhelmed?

Some days, it's hard enough to change our mind, change the car tire, change our route to work, or even change our hairstyle. If we struggle changing those things, how is it possible to change the world? Is it even possible to change the world? If it is, where do we start?

I certainly don't have all of the answers, but a few things do seem to apply here. First, to change the world, we should start where we are, preferably by changing ourselves. As the pastor of my home church often put it, "You need to do a little soul-searching!" In other words, it's very difficult to change those around you if you haven't changed first. Of course, the greatest change comes when we ask Jesus Christ into our life. That's the starting point. We really can't move forward until we have come to terms with salvation.

As a missions leader, I assume you've already made that step of faith. If so, what comes next? In my way of thinking, the next logical step is an ongoing soul-searching change, a day-to-day growth in our knowledge of God and His will for our life. In other words, we mature in our faith. We grow in how we live for the Lord and how we live like the Lord.

After soul-searching and growing, then what? What changes next? Well, I think we begin reaching out from where we are with those closest to us—our family, friends, and peers—and demonstrating for them the changes God has made in our life. How do we do that? We begin going through the doors the Lord opens around us.

Then what? Where to next? Is that it? There's more! Next, we begin bringing change in our community, in our association, in our state, in our nation, and around the world. We begin to allow our walk with God to guide us in new directions of ministry, service, and missions as we minister to people far and wide. He may lead us on missions trips, or He may lead us to enter full-time ministry. The Lord may use us in dozens of ways, none of which we have to understand up front. What God expects from us is not for us to have all of the answers to our questions but to have a willingness to follow Him wherever He leads. Living the call doesn't mean having all the answers. Living the call means following God's plan despite our questions, concerns, or fears.

Can you change yourself? Can you bring change to your family, your friends, your peers, or the world? Not alone, you can't. But this is the promise of God's Word—you can with His help! Remember, He taught us that nothing is impossible with Him. Focus on that word: nothing. With God, nothing is impossible.

I challenge you today to live that way, accepting His challenge to change the world, and following His leadership wherever it takes you.

*M. Steve Heartsill serves as editorial/program administrator for national WMU.