How to become the change you want to see

Nothing’s going to change anyway!

A barbecue with friends. Discount-store steaks go onto the brand-new, ridiculously expensive gas grill, with a big label on the pack: “Level 1: Indoor housing, legal minimum standard.” Everyone there knows what that means: a short, miserable life in a cramped space. Morally indefensible to eat.

One of them sees my skeptical look and says: “Yeah, it’s not great, but buying organic meat won’t change anything anyway. In the end it doesn’t make any difference. So we might as well go cheap.”

With various colleagues and acquaintances in front of a poster calling for a demonstration. “Should we go?” I open the discussion, a little hopefully. “Nothing’s going to change anyway. Whether we demonstrate or not, nobody will notice. And besides, does a politician or a company boss really care? So it’s not worth walking our feet off. Let’s just order pizza and watch Netflix …”

From a youth leader’s question by email: “I really try to model consideration and respect for the teens and to practice it with them. But it’s so hard. I often feel like we take one step forward and then immediately two steps back. Especially after today’s youth group session, I seriously doubt that my commitment does any good at all. Whether what I say simply fades away. Doesn’t get through at all, and it’s all somehow for nothing. I don’t even want to have the feeling that nothing changes anyway, but I can’t quite shake it either.”

Is that true? Is nothing going to change anyway? In the end, does it really not matter what we think and do, or how we live? What we stand up for and get involved in? Does everything just stay the way it is, or even get worse? Does our voice count for anything? Can we make a difference?

There’s always something

In one of his videos, German cabaret artist Hagen Rether makes three points that I think you simply have to agree with.

Right at the beginning: In just three generations, Germany has changed from a rogue state into a country people long to live in. On top of that, it peacefully overcame the division of the country. Beyond that, the EU came into being during this time, and we are experiencing one of the longest periods of peace on our continent. The degree of change between World War II and a Europe without borders is nothing short of a miracle.
In the later part: But when I look at the crises, the selfishness and the idiocies of humanity, all I’m left with is despair, right?
At the very end: But despair doesn’t help anyone. Sticking with it, setting positive things in motion, practicing love and living hope do. And that’s what’s needed now. For everyone, in their own way.

There’s always something. Change is part of being human. The only question is: in which direction are the world, our society, my life changing?

If it was possible to develop today’s Germany out of Nazi Germany within a few decades.

“You bear no guilt for what happened, but you become guilty if you don’t care about it.” (Esther Bejarano, Auschwitz survivor)

If it is possible for a man like Bernd Siggelkow to found “Die Arche” (The Ark) single-handedly, and through this work, after a little more than 20 years, thousands of disadvantaged children all over Germany are supported and valued every day.

“Because children are our present and not just our future.” (Bernd Siggelkow)

If it is possible for young people like Greta Thunberg and Luisa Neubauer to start the climate movement Fridays for Future, which is moving and changing the world.

“We all have a choice. We can create transformational action that will safeguard the living conditions for future generations. Or we can continue with our business as usual and fail.” (Greta Thunberg)

If Felix Finkbeiner, at the age of nine, could kick off the tree-planting campaign Plant for the Planet, which is heading toward millions of newly planted trees worldwide.

“We talk about saving the world every day.” (Felix Finkbeiner)

If Malala Yousafzai, who went through terrible things, could stand up as a teenager for women’s right to education, and receive the Nobel Peace Prize for it.

“Let us remember: One book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world.” (Malala Yousafzai)

Then there is no reason for resignation or an “it won’t change anything anyway” attitude.

Then there is hope. Well-founded hope, even.

And the certainty: Your commitment is not in vain. No matter how small it may be or how unsuccessful it may seem to you. You are part of a great change that is carried by many, many people and that is heading in a pretty good and positive direction.

Thank you for being part of it! Keep at it. It’s worth it!

“Nothing is impossible!” (God)

As Christians, we also know: we don’t have to pull it off on our own at all. There is this God who wants the best for his people. Who suffers with us and carries the load with us, who gives strength and hope. Who takes the side of the poor, the disadvantaged, the oppressed. Who is himself love personified. The hope, enthusiasm and strength that come from this are wonderful in the truest sense of the word.

“Once, when I was very depressed, a friend, a pacifist from Holland, told me something very beautiful: ‘The people in the Middle Ages who built the cathedrals never saw them finished. They were built over two hundred years or more. Some stonemason made a beautiful rose window, and that was all he saw; it was his life’s work. But he could never walk into the finished cathedral. And yet one day it really existed. That’s how you have to imagine peace.’” (Dorothee Sölle, Gegenwind, p. 228; published in English as Against the Wind)

I really like thinking with you and many other youth leaders about how we can contribute to an even better world, one that is more livable and more lovable. And I like even more all the things we are putting (and will put) into practice!