history maker

i stayed up friday night to watch michael phelps win his 7th gold medal. then saturday, i made sure i was home and in front of the tv to watch him win the 8th. we knew he would, but millions in the world wanted to see it happen. for the past 48 hours i've been trying to figure out why.

a week ago i had no idea who michael phelps was. maybe even less than a week ago. his achievements are pretty incredible, but honestly his story is not even the most heart tugging of those i've heard. there are olympic stories of people who overcame surgery and disease, war in their country, etc. but many of us stayed up late, and others bought tickets to watch a 23 year old swimmer and his historic achievement.

that's the key word i've landed on it. it was historic. i wanted to watch history unfold. i wanted to be part of it. i liked the idea of knowing i saw it happen live. i didn't want to read about it in 20 years when the next great swimmer beats the record, i wanted to watch history unfold.

sunday, half a day after phelps won his 8th gold, i was at the pool reading The Skeptic's Guide to the Global AIDS Crisis (see previous blog). when i read this book or other social justice themed books, i step onto a roller coaster ride of emotion- desperation and inspiration. there's a tension between feeling hopeless in light of the grand global issues, and yet a deep desire in my soul to be bring change. to write history.

it's like gandhi said:

You must be the change you wish to see in the world.

my ultra practical self is somehow connected to my naively hopefully heart in this odd mix of personality. i don't know how (humanly) we can make a difference in the world, but i believe in a God who renews and restores. through him alone, we can be agents of change in a broken world.

we have often prayed:

...your kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

over the past few years, through various studies and speakers i have dug deeper into what it means for his kingdom to come. i believe we are part of bringing his kingdom to those around us.

i easily lose sight of the fact we can bring change every single day. when i think of change, i immediately go to the end of my life and imagine looking back to see how the world has changed around me. those of us that have the holy spirit in us have the chance to bring change, hope, and the powerful love of Christ to each day we live on this earth.

the "we" i refer to is you. and me. this generation, the next generation. i believe God uses those who belong to him in unique and powerful ways, but he shows us that he is sovereign over all things and also uses those who do not yield to him.

romans 8:28

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

as these thoughts of making history have run through my head, i am reminded of a worship song that was popular when i was in college.

History Maker

Is it true today that when people pray
Cloudless skies will break
Kings and queens will shake
Yes it's true and I believe it
I'm living for you

Is it true today that when people pray
We'll see dead men rise
And the blind set free
Yes it's true and I believe it
I'm living for you

I'm gonna be a history maker in this land
I'm gonna be a speaker of truth to all mankind
I'm gonna stand, I'm gonna run
Into your arms, into your arms again
Into your arms, into your arms again

Well it's true today that when people stand
With the fire of God, and the truth in hand
We'll see miracles, we'll see angels sing
We'll see broken hearts making history
Yes it's true and I believe it
We're living for you

Written by Martin Smith ©1996 Curious? Music UK

will you be a history maker with me?
will you believe that this generation can make a difference in global poverty, and the other great issues that plague our world today?
will you believe that we can make a difference in the number of marriages that end in divorce?
will you believe that through reaching out to refugees in our city we can impact nations?
we can reach unreached peoples by teaching english to someone on the south side of town. we can change our city by serving the least. we can give a couple dollars a month and save a life. we can even give blood locally and save a life.
we can love because he first loved us, and that will change the world.

we can't do any of this because of who we are. we are nothing. we are empty, cracked, broken vessels.
we can do this because we serve the God who WAS and IS and IS TO COME. he can and will bring change and restoration. let his kingdom come.

i have been blessed, now i want to be a blessing
i have been loved, now i want to bring love
i've been invited, i want to share the invitation
i have been changed to bring change, to bring change
-aaron niequist (song, "Changed")

stepping forward, keep us from just singing,
move us into action
fill us up, send us out Lord
-tim hughes (song, "God of Justice")

history, like God, will watch what we do
- bono