“Amazing Grace”
We just watched “Amazing Grace,” the movie that featured William Wilberforce’s battle to rid the British empire of slavery. OK, OK … it’s a movie, but the story is captivating, and regardless of the other ramifications of the evils of society and all — it was a great story.
My question is, can one person — or a group of people bound to an idea that will better the world — really, truly make a difference? I’m pretty jaded against the possibility. Cynical probably is a better description.
One of the kids in the class I teach (a “dreamer’s class” of helping kids think out of the box) said, “When the people we read about in history, they probably didn’t think what they were doing or standing up for would make history.” He’s absolutely right. I think some people (MLK Jr., Lincoln, Washington, etc.) “knew” what they were a part of was great. But I wonder if they really knew they would alter history?
How do we do it? How do I do it? I don’t want to be great, or remembered in history books. But I do want to change the world, you know? And everyone has and idea for my life — in fact, I recently had a friend jokingly tell me that! So I’m not looking for suggestions from my readers (got it?). But theoretically and practically — what do I do?
Wilberforce dedicated his life to his cause. He sacrificed again and again for what he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt was right. What will it cost me to change the world? Maybe it’s not even changing the world that’s the issue. Maybe it’s simply doing the right thing. I guess, in a small way, that’s the path I’m already on.
I just want to know — is it possible? My mind is struggling to wrap itself around the possibility. Is it possible?
Great post. Margaret Meade said never doubt that a small group of people can change the world, that in fact it is the only thing that ever has.
I think sometimes what we are to do to change the world just comes our way, not because we seek it, but just because we’re living life doing what we should. I do believe good things happen to good people.
I have seen this with my rabbi. He saw something that needed doing and he started to do this small thing. One thing led to another and before he knew it he was heading up a national campaign that could have huge ramifications in the Jewish world and beyond. Yet it all started by just doing one little thing.
Because he needed exposure on the net, I offered to help him out. I thought nothing of it, it was just a favor to a friend. But, as I worked on publicity for him I was able to show people the skills I possess. As a result I got a new job and new opportunities instead of the same old boring, dead end job that so depresses me. Again, it just started with doing a small thing that was the right thing to do, helping out a friend.
I think that is how it always works, good things come to us not because we actively seek grand and glorious causes but because we live with our eyes open to possibilities around us to do some good thing.
BTW, I hate the song you used as a title, really hate it. I say amazing nothing, we have to take action and not wait around for someone else to fix things for us. JMO of course.
Sorry yaelbatsarah … it was just the name of the movie! Thanks for the encouraging comments!!
“I just want to know — is it possible? My mind is struggling to wrap itself around the possibility. Is it possible?” (LGF)
I would ask rhetorically ‘why not’? The idea also reminds of the teaching about having faith as small as a mustard seed - and still being able to move a mountain. Even if that is done with one dumptruck at a time for 30 years - it can still be done. And what is the real reason any idea truly succeeds - because you believe in it. Anything you think that can be changed can be - but it is up to you also to be involved.
I think Yael summed it all up quite besutifully with her words - that change is a thing that comes from small things. I think each of us need to be involved in an idea that makes our worlds a better place - and leave the response up to God (out of our hands) and do something we are not used to - going out on a limb.
I posted not too long ago on this same idea and I pick it up from the beatitudes - be the change you want to see and soon it will occur.
Like you, I want to make a bigger difference than I do on a local level and moreso on a bigger scale - but I never let anything bog me down or stress me out - I leave that stuff with God - I don’t have a single clue where all the causes I am in involved in will go - but I enjoy being part of the change for a better world (and that’s all I truly focus on). But like you, I wonder where it will all end up for me - but since I am not a prophet I have to leave some of the anxiousness alone.
Yeah, I saw it was the movie name. If only they had spoken to me ahead of time….
My question is, can one person — or a group of people bound to an idea that will better the world — really, truly make a difference?
Of course, the story you watched was true. We saw it here in this country with Martin Luther King Jr. King and Wilberforce tapped into God’s amazing grace to gain their indefatigable power.