RECREATING A PURPOSE-DRIVEN CHANGE-MAKER, Pastor W. F. Kumuyi
Psalm 51:10; 2 Corinthians 3:18
We must see the change, envision the change, and try to plug into the change as we strive to be purpose-driven Change-Makers. We need the recreating power of God to be Change-Makers. “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10). A change-maker needs another heart that God Himself creates. Many times, we think that our problems are with other people who have refused to change but we ought to pray like the Psalmist is created in us new hearts. We had a first creation that brought us to life but we need a recreation for us to make an impact in this life because “the heart of the matter is a matter of the heart.” The nucleus and centre of any matter you can ever think about in this life is the heart. The directions our hearts go is where we go. Change of heart involves cleansing and renewal of hearts. Ultimately, it is God the Creator that renews our hearts. If our thoughts and inner feelings are going in the wrong direction, then our lives will go in the wrong direction but if our spirits go in the right direction, then our lives will go on well and produce positive influence and social impact.
There are three critical questions to consider as we think about recreating a purpose-driven change-maker.
- WHO CAN FIND A VIRTUOUS WOMAN? Proverbs 31:10,16-17,20,25-26,31
There is always a place for a virtuous woman in any community. Just stand up, show up, prepare yourself and be virtuous enough to do what no other woman can do. The world is not looking for your name, religion or tribe, they look for specific qualities and virtues that will add value to their projects. “Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.” (Proverbs 31:10,16-17,20,25-26,31). Anyone looking for a wife, good students, or a leader, looks for virtue. The world is looking and searching for virtuous women, and if you prepare yourself, you will soon be found at the top. The price of a virtuous woman is above money in any currency. As a virtuous woman, you must place a high value on your worth and don’t sell yourself short in any setting or circumstance. You must walk, talk and dress as a person of value, even if it means you ‘fake it until you make it.’ Don’t let your appearance betray that you’re not confident. Put up a smile and carry yourself with grace and virtue. Great men and good companies will find virtuous women very useful and profitable to them. If we are going to be virtuous, we must consider a field – it could be engineering, medicine, teaching, community health or any other field of endeavour but certainly not the field of idleness at home. A virtuous woman will cultivate her field and make a difference. Fields are cleared and cultivated before something useful can be gotten from them. There is a price to pay because every good thing comes out of planting, labouring, sweating and paying the price. In life, we have to pay the price for success by investing time in learning, unlearning and relearning. Pay the price and become precious. Virtuous women do not plagiarize, their work is original, they are self-reliant and despite hindrances, their hearts remain strong. Your heart can be stronger than your hindrances. You will reach where you are determined to be regardless of the ceilings placed on women in society. There is nothing you cannot do if your heart is there. Even widows who use their windows of opportunity will get to the top. A virtuous woman with a determined heart will eventually overcome and go beyond whatever negative statement has been said to her.
- WHO CAN FREE A VICTIMIZED WOMAN? John 8:10-12,31-32; Romans 6:18,22
It is very good to have goals and desires but if you are tied down by a mindset, history and self-talk you will always be victimized. Many people in life are conditioned by an invisible rope of what people have said to them. They are conditioned to how far they can go. Conditioning and restrictions on women are a form of victimization. “When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:10-12,31-32). Some people are the expert accusers of their own lives; that’s self-induced victimization. Accusation is not the same as condemnation. People can accuse you but you are the one responsible for condemning yourself or not. You may do a foolish thing but you are not foolish. If you equate an action with your very life, then you are gone. Acknowledge your foolish acts but decide never to end up like a fool. There are times when you must create a distance between yourself and your self-appointed judges. If they do not walk away from you, walk away from them. Walk away from accusations. Walk away from people who cannot encourage and beautify your life because accusers will not give you a chance to think and plan to move forward. ‘Go and sin no more’ is more than a commandment, it is a provision for the victims of sin and sinfulness. Only the truth can set you free.
- WHO CAN FORM A VALUE-DRIVEN WOMAN?
Isaiah 43:7,18-19,21; Galatians 4:19
“And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.” (Genesis 1:2,31). Whenever God does anything, it is good. You were first formed, then deformed, eventually informed and ultimately reformed. “Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him. This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise.” (Isaiah 43:7,21). God created the earth and formed us to make the world fruitful and desirable. God can reform you into a new person with great value for the world.
