Change Your World

“Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and years approach when you say, ‘I find no pleasure in them’—before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars grow dark, and the clouds return after the rain; when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men stoop, when the grinders cease because they are few, and those looking through the windows grow dim; when the doors to the street are closed and the sound of grinding fades; when men rise up at the sound of birds, but all their songs grow faint; when men are afraid of heights and of dangers in the streets; when the almond tree blossoms and the grasshopper drags himself along and desire no longer is stirred. Then man goes to his eternal home and mourners go about the streets.” (Ecclesiastes 12:1-5)

Although majoring in dance often leaves me feeling way older than my years, I am still young. As students, we are in such an exciting period of our lives—there’s so much to think about and explore and do. It can also be a completely overwhelming period as we have important decisions to make about majors, jobs, careers, relationships, etc. Right now we are used to learning, and are therefore still very teachable. That is why the author of Ecclesiastes implores us to remember our Creator now when we have the energy to make a huge impact for Christ.

We each have a unique, wonderful calling from God. It takes time, patience, and prayer to determine what it is, but He will reveal it. When I arrived at school, I had no idea why I was supposed to be at this particular college—all I knew was that God had sent me here for a reason. I spent a good deal of freshman year wondering. Gradually, He began to reveal aspects of His plan to me, and I know there are more surprises ahead.

I found out about an absolutely horrific global issue a few years ago—modern-day slavery—and knew I needed to do something about it. It was not until I arrived at Mercyhurst that God showed me what that something was. I started a group on campus, Project Abolition, which is dedicated to raising awareness of and funds to combat modern-day slavery (also known as human trafficking). I’m very excited to find out where the group will go and how much of an impact it will have. But for now, there is much planning and preparation before we see the results of our work.

Right here, right now, with what you have, is what you are called to use. Because your actions, words, and moods affect those around you, just by living every day, you are changing the world. That is an encouraging, scary thought to most of us. It puts a lot of responsibility on us to make sure that our change is positive. However, we’re young! We want to go out and prove ourselves, and many of us will take risks as a result. That’s why the author of Ecclesiastes says to remember God NOW, before we are afraid of heights and danger in the street, before we have little desire to stir ourselves into action.

An excellent movie, Amazing Grace, contains one of my all-time favorite quotes: “No one of our age has ever taken power, which is why we’re too young to realize that certain things are impossible. So we will do them anyway.”

Take a stand. Do the impossible. Remember your Creator. And change your world.