tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7072349965739940389.post6940158122422261087..comments2011-04-26T16:13:51.470-05:00Comments on Be the Change: Resolution: An Introspective EntryDiannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06993039165090051502noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7072349965739940389.post-87637181338503252872010-01-14T16:04:50.755-06:002010-01-14T16:04:50.755-06:00It is indeed doing many of the same things, but wi...It is indeed doing many of the same things, but with more conviction and more intensity. India hardened many of the convictions I was already feeling, and gave me a picture (literal and figurative) to think of when I make my decisions as American consumer. It's very easy to write off possibly slave labor goods when you know no slaves, just as it is very easy to argue against gay marriage when you know no gay people.<br /><br />I know, also, what kind of writing God has called me to do, which is something I was unsure of before. I told Chase on one of our many plane rides home (as we were discussing the trip) that I think I know much more clearly now my role in the Body, if I may be so presumptuous as to say that I could possibly define such a thing. I have always been a pusher and encourager of others, enthusiastic about the moves they're making, and I see more now that God wants me to use my writing to push others to be better versions of themselves, if that makes sense. By making changes in my own life and writing about it, I can encourage my fellow Christians to love their neighbor more deeply and more fully than before. I think that, most of all, is the largest clarification that India gave me, and one I will attempt to continue to fill.<br /><br />I've been amazed this past semester at the [relative] success of this blog (several different entries have been reposted by friends, recommended by people in positions of influence, and just overall the response that my friends have given me), and my writing that I did while in India has convinced me to keep working in this direction.<br /><br />I suppose that's the best summary of any sort of immediate "change" India wrought for me that I can give at the moment. Does it make sense?Diannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02905225202045402974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7072349965739940389.post-59835771838908440522010-01-14T15:38:12.579-06:002010-01-14T15:38:12.579-06:00I am glad to hear that you can give definite shape...I am glad to hear that you can give definite shape to your intentions. May I ask: these things seem like changes in intensity; has anything changed in your understanding, as well?<br /><br />I suspect you have opened up a can of "God changes lives when we're open to Him" that will turn out to be much deeper than you or anyone could foresee. And I bet it will be surprising, sometimes, and that's totally OK. Cheers!pgeppshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00778075334003141988noreply@blogger.com