“No man was ever great without divine inspiration.” Cicero
Have you ever bought some over-marketed product and wondered why the hell did I buy this stupid thing?
 The answer is that you probably were inspired and sold into the product. You bought into the notion that the product was going to dramatically improve your world.
Personal Change Begins With Inspiration
This is how personal change works. We are inspired to change. Every transformation that we make is the result of some personal inspiration we have experienced in our lives. There are a few times, where this inspiration was born from a moment of enlightenment. We discovered something through our own rationality that gave us the inspiration.
But most of the time it doesn’t work that way.
True Inspiration Comes From Someone Else
The most powerful inspiration comes from someone or something else. We hear a convicting story or we see a successful friend that makes us want to become a better person. We experience the frigid cold or read the words of an intelligent writer and we make the decision to change our situation.Â
The forgiving hug of someone we love is more powerful than any moment of enlightenment that we achieve.
The Power To Inspire
Now the question is left up to us.. How have we inspired others to change? We are always looking for our own inspiration, but rarely do we think about how we can inspire others.Â
In what ways, can you inspire change in others?
Hello! My name is Stephen Miracle. I am the founder of altNoise. I have worked in ministry for the last decade. Please enjoy and freely share these articles created with love.
Good question. One that people need to consider more. Having a toddler running around after me brings this home to me all the time.
Have to admit, I was a bit taken aback but the use of the “h___” word at the beginning of your post. That’s a word I tend to associate with people who aren’t believers and don’t know any better. Just wondering….how will you inspire me to read and comment at your blog and perhaps be enlightened enough to want to change something in my life by the use of such words?
I know how you feel Annette. I also have a 2 yr old running around and it has truly forced me to be more conscientious of my natural state and decisions.
Now to the question about the use of the word. I apologize if I offended you. You will not find me using those words alot. I use them when I am trying to show a point. Those words add certain color and emotion to an idea that many can’t. Consider, “Why did I buy this thing.” or “Why the h__ did I buy this thing.” Which one drives home the point that you made a mistake?
In addition, I do not consider the words bad. They are just words. They become evil in the context of what you say. If you try to hurt a neighbor through them, then they become evil. I don’t encourage the use of color words on a regular basis nor to certain people, but sometimes you just need to express some color.
I do have a question for you Annette. Do you think that you can be inspired to change by an unbeliever? In my experience, we are only changed when we listen to those who are different from us. Change never comes from only staying within the same circles. It is risky, but if we want to grow, we must step into different things.
Yes, I can be influenced by an unbeliever…but more as a conviction in my heart than anything else. I find in myself, the most change comes from how seriously I want to know God better. The more I know him, the less I know him and the more I am convicted of my need to change and grow and imitate him better.
Using off-colour language will cause some to question your faith. I’ve learned that in my own life (having the query directed at me) and I don’t even really use off-colour language. So…what then? Does you use it say ah well…if that person can’t handle it and it hinders their stepping forth in faith, tough luck because that’s not how I meant it?
Not wanting to belabour. I do think you have some valid points to make.
Hi there – Great post and good question. I like the comment you left on Problogger, so I found your site. Now you have one more subscriber.
To answer your question in your post, I try to inspire and change others by blogging about building a real business, not just trying to become rich overnight. If that helps to change just a few people’s attitudes towards money and helps them build a successful business, I’ll be happy.
Great insight Catherine. Providing inspiration can come in many different ways and facets of life. I know I could use some business inspiration as I begin to start my non-profit.
Annette,
You brought up a good point about whether we should not do something because it might hinder someone’s growth. I haven’t quickly responded because I really wanted to think about my response.
This could be getting too off-topic for this post, but my personal opinion is that it depends on the situation (like the political answer
). We aren’t to become a stumbling block for other people of the faith, and so I should remain cautious about my langauge.
On the other hand, the point of this blog is more for a mission to the global community. Cursing is not a sin nor should be a qualifier to judge someone’s personal growth. I use it as a means to be transparent and show color in necessary spots. I rarely use the words in real life, but I don’t want non-christians to think that I’m above everyone else. Especially when they meet me and I might let one slip (as we all do).
I would consider removing them when I edit my posts, but several times I have been emailed from non-christians saying that I have reestablished some positive perspective toward Christianity in their lives because of my willingness to be real.
This is why I continue to use them. It is a mix between my personal philosophy and God’s mission for me to reach out to the world.
long enough comment..