You can’t change the world….
Have you heard these words before? Most of us probably have. If not these words exactly, then something similar. Words that lead you to doubt your purpose or worth.
Recently I was told something along these lines, “Don’t worry Calli you can’t change the world.” This comment came shortly after I opened up to someone about a decision I was making. The decision was between spending my summer one place or the other. Both good things, that I felt God was calling me to, I just couldn’t decide which to do. Ultimately I think God closed one door and lead me to the other, but that isn’t the point. The point is, in that moment after I was told this, I agreed. I agreed that I couldn’t change the world. I felt stupid, like what I was doing really didn’t matter. I started to have the mentality; what does it really matter, I can’t make a difference, I can’t actually change the world.
Feelings of inadequacy, fear, and worthlessness started to overcome me. These lies started to make a home, but when I turned to Jesus, His love combated these lies and I remembered what I was created for.
I remembered I was called beloved, child of the King, redeemed, loved, worthy, favored, and I WAS created for more and I AM created to change the world.
“You stood right there
and then you broke apart the lies
you told me I had something beautiful inside
you brought to life the part of me I thought had died
cause you stood right there
until I saw me
I saw me through your eyes.”
(Britt Nicole, through your eyes)
Most of us want to make a difference, we want to change the world. We want to be used by God in the best way possible and we desperately want to go wherever He is calling us and leading us to. However, there are many people along the way, that will not understand. They just simply won’t get it. They will tell you — ‘you can’t do it’ or ‘It will never work’. They will question you, asking why you would ever do that? They will try to persuade you that you can not do it.
But there is that spark in your mind, that assurance in your heart, and you just know, you know without a doubt, you should do it, you should go, you shouldn’t hold back.
If only these lies didn’t speak so loudly. When I was confronted with this lie at the time it spoke loudly and I fell to it and believed it. But in time, I have learned how to combat it.
“I am surrounded by fierce lions who greedily devour human prey – whose teeth pierce like spears and arrows, and whose tongues cut like swords” (Psalm 57:4).
Words can cut and pierce like swords. Not only can they hurt us, but they can affect the choices we make. They can sway us to believe certain things and make certain decisions. They can lead us to God, but they can also lead us away. Don’t let the words people speak, speak louder than what God is calling you to!
What God is calling you to is not what he is calling others to. Where he wants you to serve and be used by him is not where he is calling others. But that is okay!! In the wise words of Taylor Swift, Shake it off!!! When the lies are holding you down, are distracting you from where God is calling you, remember Jesus on the cross, and how no one understood at the time what was going on. In the moment no one understood how he would CHANGE THE WORLD FOREVER!
Jesus was mocked, ridiculed, beaten, and laughed at, but he never lost sight of His calling. By turning to Jesus, I remember what I was created for and am able to combat the lies the world throws at me!! I truly believe not only can we be used to change the world, but we can be used by God to change ETERNITY!!
