Saturday, March 28, 2009

* your love can change the world *
this line from the al gordon song 'because of your love' has been haunting me for the last few months. i've wanted to write a post about it for awhile but other things (mostly by the name of ethan) have kept me busy.

but here it is now. in 2 months' time, the man himself, along with tim hughes and mike pilavachi will be gracing the shores of hong kong in an event called worhsip central. am i excited? why, yes. yes i am.

but back to the song. in my work with asylum seekers and refugees, i hear and read a lot about the heartbreaking things that happen in places like the Congo, Sudan, and Somalia. so many times, in my frustration and weariness, i would wonder if there is any hope for Africa. could things change? could the heritage of war and conflict ever be broken? could generations of people who have only known violence as a way of getting revenge begin to seek out peace and forgiveness instead? the prospects seem bleak, when over and over again we hear of news of more violence and bloodshed, leaders who misuse their power, and injustice being overlooked by the rest of the world.

but this song, and especially this line - YOUR LOVE CAN CHANGE THE WORLD - is a powerful one. one that reminds me that there is nothing that the Father's love cannot overcome. His love can change the world, one life, one heart, at a time. i have seen this happen here is hong kong. and if it can happen for a few here, it can happen for a few more there. and a few here and there will eventually become the world. isn't that how it happened with Jesus?

so i have hope. i have hope that one day, Africa will be a prosperous, peaceful continent. i have hope that those who steal, kill, and destroy for personal gain will one day know the love and grace of Christ. i have hope that the damage done to humanity can be restored. but it must start with me. YOUR LOVE CAN CHANGE THE WORLD. i have to love those around me with the same love and grace that i am given. i have to love especially those who are hard to love, those who are broken, bitter, angry, depressed and selfish. because what is his love worth if we only keep it to ourselves (or our friends)?

HIS LOVE CAN CHANGE THE WORLD. but it starts with me. and if nothing changes, i cannot blame anyone but myself.