‘Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.’ (Leo Tolstoy).
I read these words shortly after becoming a Christian and having been handed a book called Come Help Change the World. I realised gladly that being a Christian was not just about my personal salvation but involved becoming part of God’s great plan and mission to restore our world – and I was up for it! But, sadly, I didn’t really grasp and apply these words of Tolstoy. In my rush to change the world, I neglected my own soul. I am still committed to the mission of God to see our world transformed, but now I realise that if I don’t allow God to first restore my soul, I have very little to offer to the world.
The words of Jesus ‘what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and yet loses his soul’ (Matt.16:26) took on a deeper and sharper meaning for me some years ago. I can try to ‘gain the world’ – even if I think that I am doing so for the kingdom – and yet lose my soul in the process. Losing my soul here is not about what happens after I die, but it is about failing to be fully alive.
We are a family on a mission, and we want everyone to stay passionately engaged in the mission. But not at the cost of your own soul! In this month’s newsletter, you will see that we are offering another opportunity for folks to sign up for the Emotionally Healthy Spirituality course – for the first time or to do it again. This course helps us to understand and look after our own souls and to learn how God wants to restore our souls. Only then are we better able to work with him in restoring our world.
Trevor Lloyd, on behalf of Strategic Team.