Changing Others Changed Me

Big sky, young mind and endless possibilities; I remember a time when I was convinced I could change people. What they thought about, how they thought about me and of course, how they acted.

{Chuckle}

Though I went out on the endeavor to do just that, change people; I can say now looking back it was advantageous the journey did not go as expected. In jagged twists and turns, consumed in frustration and desperation, I learned what insanity meant and then I had to decide how I could avoid insanity from overcoming me.

I had to change me instead.

It was such a foreign concept to me and yet it lured me to this peaceful brook where contentment flowed and love babbled. And just like the fairy tales there is a handsome Prince who rescues this damsel in distress.

Of course this would have been a better fairy tale if the princess wasn’t acting like the evil queen. Instead, I fought the notion that I had to change by spending energy on fruitless conversations and sleepless nights conspiring the next move. Thoughts wrestled with one another as I toiled about there just had to be a way for another to see how they needed to change. Seeped with bitterness, this becomes nasty propaganda from the enemy of my soul.

Then a verse in Matthew 18 whispered to my heart.

Verse 3…”Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Childlike faith, where did mine go? When did I lose my sight on the One who makes all things possible, including the changing of one’s heart?  I was so determined to control the change myself, I left out any capacity for my Prince to come and rescue me from this insane perception.

Although I am sure Disney would want to make my story into a fairy tale, it is not one. This princess’ heart was pricked by a needle of truth. No amount of potion could change the truth; pride had poisoned my heart and the antidote needed was given by the good Prince. No horse insight, I trekked on foot to a narrow road missed previously by self-righteousness. There at the end, in a humble abode the Prince tipped cool living water to my lips to refresh my soul. Correction is tart, but it turned to sweetness as my heart became aligned. I was the one in need of grace and there I received His mercy.

Before any change can be made in someone’s heart, I needed to change my heart and my approach. I am unable to change anyone and at times including my stubborn self. Thankfully there is One who can change hearts and any kind of heart. Humbling myself, I lay down my hurt and affliction.  I surrender the false idea I know justice and trust the One who is justice. Challenged to see the other through Jesus’ eyes, I am crushed with compassion. My heart is softened and I see now how I can change so others may see Christ. People see our heart by the actions we make. When we act as Jesus has taught by having patience, kindness, not envious or self-seeking, not easily angered or keeps record of wrongs but instead protects, trusts, hopes and perseveres; hearts are changed and lives are restored to the freedom we were always intended to have.

Love never fails means Love always wins. Love is worth the change!

And then they lived happily ever after….