"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden, nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16

 Though Ghandi was not a Christian, he echoed this sentiment, saying, -"Be the change you want to see in the world." It’s easy to ponder the thought of what the world would be like if everyone was a light of Christ standing on a hill for all to see. What if everyone was honest, truthful, selfless and sensitive to the feelings and needs of others? But since we cannot control what others may do, it is to our advantage to focus on how the change can start with us.

 The most effective leader leads by example. The old proverb, -"Your actions are speaking so loud I can’t hear a word you are saying" is true and something we can all relate to. Our family, our personal relationships and even the world itself is largely a reflection of the people. We need not set our goals at changing the world with the hope of creating a Utopia here - the Scriptures foretell that this will only take place after the return of Jesus as the King of kings and Lord of lords. But we can make a significant difference if we allow God to change us individually. Of course the real goal is aimed at honoring God by submitting to His will which is to love Him with all our heart and love our neighbor as we love ourselves.

 A light on a hill is there for others to see. We can shine but we cannot make others come near and join us. To shine is to walk in love and truth - living out the Way of God’s righteousness. We must be the change because God has called us for this purpose. Some will follow our example but most will not. To some it will mean salvation and blessings while to others it will serve as a witness against them. Some will self-righteously point out your every mistake while ignoring their own, but we cannot let this discourage us. Ghandi also said, -"I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."

 Who was Ghandi trying to live up to? Certainly not Christ or he might not like himself too much either as he was constantly reminded of how short he fell from that standard. Ghandi was Hindu which practices traditional teachings and has no individual founder - there is no person to live up to. Christ is the ultimate goal which we painfully fall short of which is why He extended His grace, mercy and His own righteousness. While Ghandi is looking at a Christian’s personal unchristian behavior, God is looking at the righteousness of Christ which clothes him.

  It’s easy to point out that Christians fall short of Christ, but it is consistently Christians and Christian organizations that are first responders whenever there is a crisis in the world. It is Christian missionaries who build schools and orphanages in Hindu India and elsewhere. Where is the Hindu, Muslim or Buddhist Red Cross, Feed the Children Program, Salvation Army, etc.?

 There are a multitude of Christian founded Hospitals which serve as houses of mercy - where are the Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist founded houses of mercy? Where are the non-Christian Missionaries? Christians travel the world preaching the good news that God loves us so much that He gave His only Son to pay for our sins. Christians lay hands on and pray for the sick, even those who are highly contagious. An estimated 200,000 Christians are martyred each year for lovingly serving the poor in unchristian countries.

 Where are the Hindu, Muslim or Buddhist faith healers? Our ministry has outreaches in India and sends thousands of dollars to help the needy there because we are imperfect Christians who are working to be the change. It is Christians that people all over the world appeal to for help and they are not disappointed because even lukewarm Christians will answer the call of the helpless and needy. Every change begins in the human heart. Be the change.