While I was at a continuing education event this month, one of the participants shared the following story. The author is unknown, but the meaning is clear. It is easy to blame someone else for our problems, unhappiness, dissatisfaction, and any other negative thought that floats through our mind. It is much more difficult to realize that the source of our discomfort is within our own hearts, not from the actions of someone else. The author writes,
 

 One day all the employees reached the office and they saw a big sign on the door on which was written: “Yesterday, the person who has been hindering your growth in this company passed away. We invite you to join the funeral in the room that has been prepared in the gym.”

In the beginning, they were all sad for the death of their colleagues, but after a while they started getting curious to know the identity of the person who hindered the growth of colleagues and the company itself. The excitement in the gym was such that security guards were ordered to control the crowd within the room. The more people reached the coffin, the more the excitement heated up.

Everyone thought: “Who is this person who was hindering my progress? Well, at least they have died and won’t cause any more problems.” One by one, the employees got closer to the coffin, and when they looked inside, they suddenly became speechless. They stood next the coffin, shocked and in silence, as if someone had touched the deepest depth of their soul.

There was a mirror inside the coffin and everyone who looked inside, could see their own face. There was a sign next o the mirror that said, “There is only one person who is capable of setting limits to your growth. It is you!”

Your life does not change when your boss changes, when your friends change, when your parents change, when your spouse changes, when your company changes, when your church changes, when your pastor changes, when your location changes, when your money changes, or when you status and position change. Your life changes when you change.

We read in gospel of Matthew, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34) and then, “But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart…” (Matthew 15:18). Jesus shares with us that all change will take place in our hearts and from our hearts will come our words and actions. We will share good or evil, by our words and actions, and what we share will demonstrate to all people, what is in our heart. If you are unhappy about a person, event, or part of your life, blaming others won’t solve one thing. You can’t change another person, you can only change your own attitude, perception, and desire. Look to the change that must take place within, for only then, can we live and minister as Jesus has instructed.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Richard