If We Want Change, We Have to Be Open to Changing

I know lots of people who want to see change around them.

I know fewer people who are open to change themselves for that to happen.

This is what makes Mary’s “Yes” to the angel so remarkable.

Then, as now, there was so much desire for change in the economically oppressed and militarily occupied land of Israel. Being a teenage woman only heightened that powerlessness and vulnerability. She was more than a little surprised when the angel told her that the change desired by many was indeed coming. About the child the angel promised her, the angel says, “He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end” (Luke 1:33).

Mary could have said, “No thank you,” or “Yes, we need that, but please find someone else.” Instead, she said, “Here I am, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). Mary was open to the change she and millions of others wanted to see for their country and for themselves. Mary’s only qualification was her willingness to be a servant to the change she wanted to see. It was true then; it is true now.

The first choral song I learned in 7th grade was “Let There Be Peace on Earth.” I didn’t appreciate it at the time, but Mrs. Butler — one of my favorite teachers — was the rare Black teacher (and a Christian) in a predominantly white middle school in Houston, Texas, in 1970. She did not just want change in racial relations and respect; she was willing to be a servant to the change she wanted to see. I appreciate now her choice of that song for our mostly white 7th-grade choir to sing as we approached the Christmas season:

“Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.”

See you Sunday at the change place,

Lead Pastor
FUMC Plano