A Chance to Change the World

DAILY BYTE

In 1983 Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple Computers, asked John Sculley to become the CEO. At the time, Sculley was the vice-president of PepsiCo, a large, well-established, massively profitable multi-national corporation. Apple was still a fledgling company in what was, at the time, a very uncertain industry. The legendary question that Steve Jobs put to John Sculley that convinced him to make the risky move into this new position was this, “Do you want to spend the rest of your life selling sugared water, or do you want a chance to change the world?” It was a crossroads moment for John Sculley. He chose the path that gave him a chance to change the world.

Friends, believe it or, we are all faced with that same essential choice whenever we consider the purpose of our lives. In those crossroads moments the choice before us is really as stark as the one that John Sculley faced - either to go through the motions of a safe, bland, mediocre kind of existence. Or to dare to risk ourselves in some great venture that could change the world.

The truth of the gospel is that whoever we are, however young or old, rich or poor, educated or not. Whoever we are, there is a big, bold, brash purpose that God has for each one of us that will draw us into a great venture that promises to change the world. This is indeed good news, because who of us would not want to give our one miraculous life to some magnificent purpose?

Today, examine your life. Reflect on what you’re doing. Ask God to show you how your life can be drawn in to God’s loving purposes to change the world. Take a courageous step into that new understanding of why you are here. Make the changes that you know are necessary. It’s not too late for you to start living the life for which you’ve been uniquely created.

PRAY AS YOU GO

Thank you Lord God that you’ve created me with a magnificent purpose in mind. Thank you that you intend my life to be one that changes the world. Help me to take hold of this chance. Show me today the ways in which I can live, and the courageous choices I can make, that will lead me more fully into all that you dream for me. Amen.

SCRIPTURE READING

Mark 1:16-20

As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake - for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you fish for people.’ And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.