Turn The World Around

23 Apr

“Live your beliefs and you can turn the world around.” ~ Henry David Thoreau

It has only taken the dedication of a small group of people — and sometimes merely an individual — to change the attitudes of many. When we live our faith as completely as possible, we can change the world around us.

Take, for example, Maximilian Kolbe. He was a priest who was arrested merely for being a Catholic and taken to Auschwitz. While in Auschwitz, a prisoner escaped. The commandant ordered ten prisoners to be executed for the escaped prisoner. As they randomly selected people to be executed, a prisoner begged for his life. Kolbe went up to the commandant and requested to take the place of the selected prisoner. When the commandant asked why he would make that request, his response was simple: “I am a Catholic priest.” That was enough for Kolbe.

Kolbe endured time in a starvation bunker, leading the other nine prisoners with him in prayer and song until, one after another, they died. Because the bunker was needed for more prisoners to be executed, they injected Kolbe’s vein with carbolic acid to kill him. The example of his life and death changed the lives of many in Auschwitz. One man made a huge difference in the lives of others.

Was there still chaos? Was there still hatred? Was there still unbelief? Was there still rejection? Yes. But, in the midst of all of that, there was one man who dared to live his beliefs and stand as a beacon for many who were spiritually lost.

It doesn’t take an army. It doesn’t take a nation. It doesn’t take a world. It takes one person at a time, living his or her faith to the max, to change the world in which they live. There is still hatred and cruelty in our world and it needs the example of one good person. Will you be that person today?

You could change the lives of all around you.

FAITH ACTION:  Do not worry about those who belittle your beliefs. Instead, live your faith boldly today and let the Lord speak and work through you.