Essentially, IofC is about how we choose to live. Am I living in a way that is going to make a positive difference to the world? Or am I content to let life pass me by?
Defining Initiatives of Change (IofC) is difficult. One person called it ‘a lake in which lambs can wade and elephants can swim’. I doubt they were trying to be evasive—it is just that trying to fit IofC into a neat box inevitably means narrowing down the concept of an international movement with many sides to it. IofC is a fellowship, a spiritual movement, a network, a body of ideas, a charity. It is, for each generation, each country, each individual, what we make of it.
Essentially, IofC is about how we choose to live. Am I living in a way that is going to make a positive difference to the world? Or am I content to let life pass me by? This often boils down to simple personal choices. In a world where division between religions is a cause of war, am I prepared to reach out the hand of friendship to those who have a different religion than mine? When global warming threatens our climate, do I take conservation and recycling seriously? Corruption is causing hardship in many countries, including the UK, so am I prepared to submit my expense claims honestly (or even pay back false claims, as some have done)? When many children’s lives are damaged by their parents’ turbulent relationships, am I willing to cherish a life-long partner?
Choices are not always clear-cut. Should I boycott goods from country x which has an oppressive regime, or is the cost to the people who live there too high? Do I support the distribution of condoms in order to fight Aids, or will that merely increase promiscuity?
One person trying to sort out him/herself is not going to change the world, though the potential impact should not be underestimated. We begin to glimpse immense possibilities when we test the idea that an unseen divine being can guide and empower us. Most of us are painfully aware of times when our conscience has chided us; and it is not unusual to be aware of an ‘inner voice’ pointing us in a certain direction. But these are the Key Stage 1 levels of a skill that needs honing through self-discipline, regular practice and life-long spiritual searching.
Listening for God’s guidance is not a substitute for thought. Different people who are equally committed to the practice may reach different conclusions on the moral dilemmas outlined previously. God knows that we are fallible; he made us that way. I suspect that it is our motivation that is most important to him.
‘Prayer doe not consist in battering the walls of heaven for personal benefit or the success of our plans,’ wrote G Ashton Oldham. ‘Rather, it is the committing of ourselves to carrying out God’s purposes. In prayer we tap reservoirs of spiritual power whereby God can find fuller entrance in to [our] hearts.’
NOTE: Individuals of many cultures, nationalities, religions, and beliefs are actively involved with Initiatives of Change. These commentaries represent the views of the writer and not necessarily those of Initiatives of Change as a whole.
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