One less thing

I have saved the world many times. Or—at least—I have tried.

I switched to organic vegetables, I subscribed to a CSA. I tried being vegetarian for a week–and ate a double bacon cheeseburger on day seven. I made all my Christmas gifts one year. I have volunteered for hospice and signed up for high school ministry. I have grown my own tomatoes. I have built houses in Mexico and considered going on staff with a Christian organization and inquired about volunteering in a slum and sent letters and pictures to a sponsored child. I have wrapped glass bottles in cardboard boxes; I have gone without a car. I have used cloth diapers, and even dried them on the line.

You can expend a lot of effort—and feel like you’re make very little difference—this way. You can search for the perfect cause and always come away feeling empty. You might start to avoid the news headlines because they expose your helplessness every morning.

I have tried to do more many times. Believe me, I admire those who seem to do more effectively.

But lately, I have been trying a different approach.

I’m over at Addie Zierman’s site today, talking about how, exactly, I’m changing how I approach changing the world. Won’t you join me there?