As we enter into a brand new year, which will bring even more challenges and conflicts to our culture and country that is already beset by many intractable problems, each of us must give some serious thought to how we, as individuals, can help to remedy the problems and perplexities that have reached epidemic, or perhaps even pandemic proportions.  Can we, at this final state of a self-destructing society that has already reached the critical state of meltdown, reverse and avert a total collapse of our culture and country?  Do we possess the individual and national resolve to amend our ways before it’s too late?  Will we alter our course of destruction that is leading straight toward icebergs or will we, in our own delusion, arrogance, and defiance, continue to cruise upon troubled waters, like the Titanic of old, believing that we are unsinkable.  I am an optimist who believes (with God’s help) we can change our date with destiny and destruction by altering our course.  Like the Dickens’ character, Ebenezer Scrooge, in A Christmas Carol, we can change the gloomy and fatal projection that has been shown us by the specters of doom.  Here are a few of the essential areas of our lives where we, as individuals, can help to effectuate positive change:

The Home
I have endeavored to live by a belief and principle that literally asserts, “strong marriages build strong families; strong families build strong churches; and strong churches build strong communities.”  Becoming an agent for constructive change in your marriage or family is a foundational part of helping to bring healing and restoration to both the community and culture.  The adage that says, “charity starts at home and spreads abroad” is certainly true and must be taken serious if we are to have a turn around in these other areas.  Spouses must begin to treat each other with mutual affection and respect.  Parents must stop being weak, compromising, and cowardice in their parenting responsibilities.  They must return back to the old and proven ways of rearing children and hold to the fact that they were called to be their children’s parents first and then their friends.  Parenting is not for cowards, but for those with courage to stand firm on their responsibilities.

The Church
It is no secret that I embrace an uncompromising belief in the Judeo-Christian Tenet.  Furthermore, I believe that this is the foundation that America was founded upon, as well as the fabric of our society that has made us numero uno amongst the nations and the envy of the world.  Apart from the family, the second institution that has been historically instrumental in our ascension as a nation has been the church.  As the renowned French philosopher Alexis de Tocqueville stated in the 1830’s after traveling to America,
I sought for the key to the greatness and genius of America in her     harbors…; in her fertile fields and boundless forests; in her rich mines and    vast world commerce; in her public school system and institutions of               learning.  I sought for it in her democratic Congress and in her matchless              Constitution.
Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power.
America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.”  These profound and prophetic words of Mr. Alexis de Tocqueville, that were spoken over one hundred and eighty-six years ago, confirm the central role that the Christian Church has played in America’s success and greatness.  I believe that the church, the Judeo-Christian Church, is still one of the keys to our healing as a nation.  Regardless of all the negative stones that the devil, the flesh, and the world has hurled at the Christian Church in their attempt to neutralize and to destroy our influence as “salt and light” to the culture, these schemes and strategies will not prevail against the true church that consists of local congregations, various denominations, and people of all races and walks of life.  The church, the ground and pillar of the truth, the corporate Body of Christ, and the instrument of His government in the earth will continue to lead the charge as a catalyst for constructive change.

The Community
The final area where we must put forth a continual effort to be a catalyst of constructive change is in the community where we live, work, and interact with people.  Through individual efforts and acts of kindness, generosity, and affirmation, we can make a difference and an impact.  We can, with a smile, give a word of encouragement to a work peer who is having some obvious difficulties.  We can extend a hand to lift someone up who has fallen down or into a deep ditch of despair.  Each of us can make it our business everyday to be mindful of the needs of others; and can therefore, become their servants by providing them with courtesy, compassion, and help whenever there is a need that is within our ability to meet.  Those who are in authority can be a catalyst of constructive change by treating those under their supervision with greater consideration and respect.  Being ever mindful that there is also someone over them and that everyone, without exception, always reaps what they have sown.
Let each of us strive in this New Year to be an asset and not a liability.  Let us put forth a diligent effort to be a part of the solution and not a part of the problem.  Let us be individual and corporate catalysts of constructive change.