I love this week's lesson! The phrase "Be the change" reminds me that everyone has a place and something they can contribute. When it comes to Social Innovation, the Ballard Center uses a pyramid with social entrepreneurs on top. They are fewer in number. The next level is Implementers. This is the level I see myself at more than a social entrepreneur. I would implement the ideas of a social entrepreneur within the framework of the job or organization I work or volunteer at. An implementer encourages those around her to move towards a more social innovation task, trying to get her organization to move towards a goal of making a difference in a social issue. The third level is a volunteer or a donor. Spending time helping in a social issue that you feel passionate about is a great way tp help a movement, cause and issue move forward. Without volunteer and donors it would be nearly impossible to get the work done.
This weeks reading included and article titled "What is your Calling in Life" By Jeffrey Thompson. This was exactly what I needed to push me toward figuring out what my life calling is. In fact last weekend I spent some time contemplating and praying for that exact question. I loved how he offered things you could ask and "Heresies" that sometimes we fall into. It reminded me that I need to put the work into figuring out what my calling is. I loved a quote by John Calvin that said God gives us talents and gifts and it is our job to figure out what those gifts are and how to use them to bless other people.
We may have a jumpstart on others as our patriarchal blessing usually lists some of our gifts. Mine gives me several and then tells me to work on them and enhance them. I want to be able to use these to bless other people and myself. The scriptures tell us that we have access to all the spiritual gifts. We need to ask for them. We can use the gifts God has given us to bless others. He gives them to us so we can help His children. It is our responsibility to move towards making a change in this world. God has given us everything we need on this earth to solve the problems we face. We need creative people who are willing to use what God has given them to make the change in this world. It starts with each one of us as we pray to know where we are needed and what the Lord would want us to do. |It seems to me that we have been given so much that we need to give back and fight for a cause that can and will make a difference. We can be the change we want to see in the world.
