Waiting on the world to change

So we keep waiting Waiting on the world to change
John Mayer “Waiting on the World to Change”

I am a fan of most of John Mayer’s music (I know, shame on me for listening to secular music). While I wouldn’t deem any of his music having a Christian message (including this song), I do think the chorus above is true of the mindset of many believers today.
For a long time, Christians have been waiting for this world to change, as though the climate of culture changes like the seasons. We have sat back for some time, seeing that the world around us is deteriorating, and we think to ourselves, “It’ll change eventually.” Unfortunately, the change that we have seen in culture is one for the worse. The forecast does not get any better either.
Some say that they are waiting on Christ to come again. That is a great thing to expect; one we should all long for and expect. But, the eventual coming of Jesus gives us no excuse to sit by and do nothing as the world continues to wallow in desecration. The Great Commission found in Matthew 28 calls us to go to the nations to make disciples and spread the Gospel. In Acts 1:8, Jesus commands us to go, with the power of the Holy Spirit, to be His witnesses to “Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” The command is that wherever we go, be it across the street or across the world that we are share Christ’s love and truth in word and in action. We aren’t called to wait for His coming. That’s the exact opposite of what Jesus commands. He says “Go! You got work to do. Don’t wait for me to come back, or for someone else to make a difference. That’s your job!”
One of the most notable illustrations we are given in Matthew and in Luke is that we are the salt of the earth. Salt has many uses. It flavors food. It can help preserve foods. When sprinkled on shelves, salt will keep ants away. Warm salt water is also a good mouth wash and can help with a sore throat. If that salt loses its saltiness though, what good is it? It’s not even good for soil or for manure (Luke 14:35).
What Jesus is saying is that we may all look like salt, but if we don’t have the flavor then we are good for nothing. Saying you’re a Christian and looking like a Christian (what does a Christian look like anyway?) is meaningless if you are not fulfilling the duties of a Christian. I don’t know if you caught it, but Jesus says we would ruin manure! If one could ruin manure, then you know it must be bad.
For too long, many believers, including myself, have sat on their hands as the world falls apart. We meander through life, waiting for someone to come along and set the earth ablaze for God. We want to see and be a part of an earth-shaken, foundation-rocking movement, but we don’t want to do the work. We want the benefits, but not the struggle and sacrifice. When I read verses like in Matthew or in Acts, I don’t read that just others go and make disciples, or that others be Christ witnesses. I read, “Chris, you go. Chris, you be my witness.” Waiting on the world to change is not an option because we are commanded to bring that change the world desperately needs.