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Change agents dream of enhancing the lives of others. They look at what “could be” as well as “what is” because they understand the need to overcome current conditions or current perspectives and instill an excitement in the potential.

Each of us has been created with an amazing potential of what we could be. We were given gifts and a purpose that can enable us to live lives of incredible joy, service, impact and success. However, our status of “what is” prevents us from achieving the status of “what could be.” We live lives of pride, selfishness, deceit, and self-centeredness. In other words, we are human. It is natural to think of our own needs. It is natural to put ourselves first even when we are in the process of helping others. But our natural tendencies also result in striving for things that we think are good for us but usually end in emptiness in our lives.

To change this perception and our ability to use our gifts and talents in a way that achieves true joy and fulfillment, God has provided the ultimate change-agent: His Son, Jesus Christ.

We cannot change our nature by ourselves. We often cannot change our attitudes. We will still follow our own desires. We will hurt others. We will offend God. And that offense will separate us from the joy that we can have by being in fellowship with God and the assurance of being in His presence when our time on earth is finished.

God sent Jesus to allow us to enjoy that fellowship with Him – now and forever.

While sin is in our nature, it does not have to separate us from God. Jesus was sent to break down that barrier between us and God. He changes our hollow feelings into a holy perspective. He changes our destiny to be separated from God into an eternity in His presence. He changes our lives from self-fulfillment to an abundant life on this earth and for eternity.

The process and the gift to this life is simple if we will only eliminate the pride that stands in our way. First, we need to realize that “where we are” is preventing us from being where we can be. Basically, we are all sinners. (The Bible says, “For ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” – Romans 3:23). And, because of our sins, we will be judged. But, miraculously, we don’t have to pay the price for our sins (“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.”– Romans 6:23).

That is the good news: Jesus Christ died for us, taking the payment of our sins in His place. And through faith in Him, we are transformed, literally changed in the sight of God. It is not through good works that we do, it is simply by trusting that Jesus took our place of judgment and desiring to enter into a new relationship with God.

This is established in verses Romans 5:8 and Ephesians 2:8&9: “God demonstrates His own love us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” And “For by GRACE you have saved through FAITH, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

This is not just a hope for eternal change, but we can be assured of this, by God’s own word: “To all who received (Christ), to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” – John 1:12.

For encouragement that is found in the Bible, read the Book of John (especially chapter 3). You can also find comfort and excitement in verses such as: “I’ve come that you may have life and have it more abundantly.” – John 10:10 and “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes (trusts) in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16

How do you take part in this change process and enjoy a new, empowered and more exciting life? There is a simple prayer that reflects this desire to trust in Jesus and not in ourselves:

“Dear God, I know that I am a sinner. I know that my sin deserves to be punished. I believe Christ died for me and rose from the grave. I trust Jesus Christ alone as my Savior. Thank You for the forgiveness and everlasting life that I now have. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

John 5:24 summarizes the power of God’s love for us, His desire for a relationship withus and Christ’s atonement for our sins: “He who hears My word and believes in him who sent Me has everlasting life and shall not come into judgment but has passed from death into life.”

My prayer for you is that you will experience this joy and start on a new adventure with the ultimate change in your life.