Last Words

The following is the last speech I will deliver for my communication class tomorrow night.

I dedicate it to my Middle School Boys:
Thank you for wanting to change the world.
------

“It’s hard to beat the system
When we’re standing at a distance
So we keep on waiting
For the world to change”

These are the words to John Mayer’s new song. Waiting for the world to change. In his lyrics he goes to tell how it’s hard for the current young generation to really impact the world – “It’s not that we don’t care we just know that the fight’s not fair so we keep on waiting for the world to change.” These words from the pop artist who’s used to speaking about love and high school memories – has made quite the statement here with such mature lyrics. In the end however, sadly, John has decided- for himself and for his generation, to wait – for the world to change.

At times I think this a song the church likes to sing. Around the holidays, yes, we empty our cupboards and collect canned goods for the local collection. An Operation Christmas box or two, toys for tots, Salvation Army. But for the common days when the holidays aren’t around, or when we feel awkward in the face of poverty and need – regardless of time or setting-what is our response? Is John Mayer far from the truth? Are we waiting for someone else to step in? Do we believe as well it is hard to impact the world? I know 8 middle school boys that would tell you differently.

Last night both Middle School adult leaders for the boys small group were missing in action. Having left frantic messages about business meetings and travel on my office phone several hours prior, I found myself responsible for the small group last night. I work well with girls, I have a small group of my own – but the middle school boys – I love them, but let’s just say I was nervous. What would we do – their regular leaders were not there to break out the dodge balls so I was left to fill the hour and ½ slot. One idea kept popping into my head, although I wasn’t sure they would buy it. Our church had started collecting Boxes of Hope for the local homeless ministry in the city. Folks from the church were to take empty cardboard boxes home and filling them with foodstuffs and canned goods, enough to supply a family with hearty Christmas Meal. I knew that in one hour we could fill one of these boxes if we went to a nearby neighborhood to ask for canned goods. The plan was set – I gathered the middle school boys, filed them into the church mini bus, gave them their mission for the night – and away we went. Enroot the conversation began. Joe, the youngest of the group spoke first.

No one is going to give us anything.
Do you really think that? I asked
Why would they give us anything? Joe asked
I think we’ll get a lot – Sam pitched in – the oldest and the leader of the group.
I don’t Jesse commented.
Can we play manhunt instead – John asked
This is going to be boring.

As we piled out of the bus I was nervous, the boys approached the first house sheeply and froze as the first women answered the door. The request fumbled out of Sam's mouth – she hesitated and said,

You’re from the church?

Yes ma'am – they said in a chorus – I’ll be right back. Moments later she had contributed 2 items and thanked the boys for their efforts sending us on our way. The boys were glad, but not yet persuaded that they would be successful with their mission and when it came to the second house, they were apathetic.

I can’t do it– it’s too hard – Joe said lazily. I don’t want to speak- you do it – the boys went back and forth.

But by the time they had gotten to the 3rd house and the box began to get heavy – something changed in them, they realized that maybe, just maybe, they could fill this box and collect beyond that. Maybe they could make a difference.

The boys decided to split into two groups. They were now running from house to house. Bags of food and blankets were becoming heavy and the box was breaking from the weight. We grabbed the bus unloaded and headed out again. The boys were critiquing how each asked the request and soon they were arguing over who got to ask at the next house. Joe was the loudest, it was him who wanted to ask and somewhere between the bus and the collection, getting the request just right was very important to him. He did a great job.

Their excitement became giggles and joy as we piled over the different cans we had collected and the stories of the people whom we had briefly come into contact with – and soon enough the hour was over. We piled back into the mini bus and headed back to church. On the ride back I asked them what they thought of their time. They shared how they became surprised when people didn’t give – so many had – why would others not?

As they counted the items they debated how many people their collection could feed. They were not satisfied. Within the hour my middle school boys had collected over 70 cans, jars, and boxes of food – one full bag of clothing – 8 blankets – and $5. I was so proud of them, but for them it wasn’t enough.

Melissa... – Joe asked, we only hit up 2 blocks and we collected all of this. I bet if we went up and down the street we could get 500 items. And if everyone in Tampa gave one thing we could feed all the homeless in the city and more. We could fill this bus with food. That would be awesome – that would make an impact.

I turned and smiled and said -Absolutely Joe- it would.

Jesus told us that if we faithful in the small things then we will be faithful in the big things. I truly believe that people want to change the world in big ways, but yet I find that we are not willing to try it out in the little things first.

If we never act because we think it’s too hard, then no – we will never impact this world enough to change it.

If we never give the homeless man the money, because he might buy that drink

If we never make the phone call to the widow to invite her over for dinner

If we never give all the cash in our wallet on a Sunday morning
– then no, we will never impact this world enough to change it – then John Mayer is right, maybe we are just waiting.

But Church there is good news. We have been given the keys to the kingdom and have been called accordingly to His purpose. God desires to bring about His kingdom and we have been called to this Kingdom work while we are still here. God desires to use the church in this way, but if the church does not step up – He will use whatever medium, group, organization He chooses to bring about His plan. But His desire is that it is through the Church – the responsibility is ours.

We cannot be passive participants in this journey – waiting for the world to change. Joe doubted we could fill a box of Hope, but at the end of the night he was ready to fill more. Within 1 hour my middle school boy went from being apathetic and lazy to engaged and compassionate. I believe that God desires that from everyone. When we are faithful in the small things, then God will entrust us with being faithful in the big things. Tis the Season to give, but even more so, when Christmas is over how will you continue to be about this transforming Kingdom work?

Jesus told the disciples that if we are faithful in the small things then we will be faithful in the big things. Let us not sit by and wait for the world to change, but instead be the change we hope to see in this world.


**At the side bar there is a list of a handful of organizations that are national and local -if interested, you, your family, or someone you know, can become involved in. Please consider them -throughout the holiday season and all year long.