And my unbelief whispers...

can people really change? It's a carnal question, but I wrestle often with this rhetorical nugget. As a believer, i see people and God calls me to engage and then I hear that voice... But can people really change? After months of hardship, hurt, wounds and broken bridges of relationships- i wonder- can they change. Lord, transformation is not about my persuasive gifts, my ability to broker peace and unity. I just wonder...

Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.

Comments

[John Tillman]

How does that song by Seal go?? "Slow change is a'comin..." Something like that. I have to look back deep into my life to understand how God has changed me, but sometimes I expect others to change on the spot. Poof!!! Presto-Chango!!!

[Kevin C.]

People can definitely change. After five years of teaching, I've seen that they can, but I've also learned that you can't do the changing for them. It's an internal process that they must go through on their own. The only thing we can do is try to help others discover the good that's already inside of them and they must find the will to bring it out.

It's a frustrating process because the distance between the potential that you see for them in your mind and where they actually are right now can be an enormous chasm. It's a recipe for feeling powerless, but also a humbling reminder that God gave free will to every one of us, and we can only exercise our own.

[matt]

Thanks guys. I'm in agreement.

Kevin, I can't believe you've been teaching for 5 years. Wow! Seems like you left Nashville a few months ago.. time is fleeting, isn't it?

[Wanda]

Hope springs eternal. Otherwise, why do we exist, why try and fail, why try and accomplish. Perfection doesn't exist in this life, we'll work 'til Jesus comes, as the song goes. Work at changing - for the better. w