March 11, 2026
How do we affect real change?
Joshua Tufte
Is it possible to really change things?
How Do We Fix Anything?
In a world full of war, politics, injustice, inequality, and beyond, how do we fix anything?
Over the years, as a pastor, I’ve heard this question asked numerous times in various ways. It usually boils down to a deep sense that we can’t really affect anything. The world’s problems are overwhelming, and they always will be.
With the advent of social media and global news at our fingertips, and every other media outlet constantly forcing headlines down our throats, it’s easy to feel helpless. How do we do anything about it?
Eventually, many people land in a place of inevitability. The world is going to hell in a handbasket, and there’s nothing we can do about it. That mentality leads us to blame others, develop a defeatist outlook, become jaded and negative, and ultimately lose sight of what is actually important.
One of the more recent conversations I had about this was with a very sharp, very driven young man in our church. He genuinely wanted to help. He wanted to make the world a better place. But he didn’t know where to start or how to make a difference.
He had recently taken on a leadership role in his neighborhood and was already discouraged by the resistance he was facing. He worked hard, applied creativity to solving problems, and kept running into wall after wall.
I’ve heard story after story like this. And over time, I’ve come to believe that generally speaking, people do want to help. They just don’t know how, and eventually they feel defeated.
So the question becomes: Why worry about other people’s problems at all, right?
While that mentality is understandable, it can lead us into some dangerous places as a society. It can also lead us somewhere very different than what Jesus talked about. Throughout both the Old and New Testaments, God’s Word repeatedly reminds us that true religion includes caring for the vulnerable, widows, orphans, and those in need.
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress…”
— James 1:27
“Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.”
— Psalm 82:3
So how do we care without becoming overwhelmed?
Over the years, I’ve developed a simple framework that has helped me tremendously. These are three questions I ask when deciding where to focus my energy.
First: Is this important to my family and me?
Second: Does this affect my immediate community?
Third: Is there anything I can actually do about it?
If the answer is no to two out of those three questions, I leave it alone.
Often, I add it to my prayer list, which is powerful, but beyond that, I let it go. Many times, that means intentionally avoiding conversations, news cycles, arguments, and debates surrounding it. This allows me to focus on what is important, immediate, and doable, while giving to God the things I cannot control.
Let me give you an example.
Currently, the U.S. military has commenced major operations in Iran. Reactions to this have been wildly different depending on political alliances, media outlets, and personal perspectives.
Is that important? Absolutely.
Does it affect my immediate community, my church, my family, my business, or my town, in a way I can directly influence? Not really.
Can I fix it? Not even close.
And honestly, I’m not even sure I would want to. Decisions like that involve layers of information, intelligence, and strategy that most of us simply don’t have access to.
So what can I do?
I add our troops and our country to my prayer list, and I move on.
That may sound harsh, but here’s the reality:
You and I only have so much influence and so much capacity.
That capacity looks different for everyone, but one thing we all share is that both our influence and our capacity are limited. If I spend all my energy worrying about things I can’t directly affect, then I’ll miss the thousands of people I can affect who are right in front of me. By serving in the church, engaging personally in the community, exerting social influence, praying, and building everyday relationships, I can focus my attention where it can actually make a difference.
And when we do that, we become far more effective.
Does this mean we don’t care about war or larger global issues?
Not at all.
Those things should affect us deeply. The loss of life is heartbreaking and tragic. And lives will be lost. That should absolutely weigh on our hearts. But we cannot allow ourselves to drown under the weight of the entire world’s problems.
God, and only God, has the capacity to carry the sins of the world on His shoulders.
We are not Him.
In fact, at its core, believing we can or need to fix everything can become somewhat egotistical.
Scripture reminds us clearly of the limits of our role:
“Be still, and know that I am God.”
— Psalm 46:10
God calls us to be faithful where we are, with what we have, among the people He has placed around us. When we focus there, on what is important, immediate, and doable, we can actually begin to change the world around us.
And sometimes, that’s exactly how God changes the world.
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Before we talk about who God is, I want to invite you to pause and open your heart. We all bring something into conversations about God: • childhood experiences • past church wounds • cultural assumptions • religious confusion • parental mistreatment • or even silence about God For many, the very word “God” carries layers of misunderstanding. So as we explore this doctrine, I’m asking you to do three things: 1. Lay down past assumptions. Not every idea you were taught about God was accurate. 2. Allow Scripture to speak clearly. We are approaching this biblically—not through wounds, fears, or culture. 3. Give grace to your own story and the stories of others. Many people struggle with their view of God. You’re not alone. My goal is not to overwhelm you with theology. My goal is to help you see God clearly, love Him deeply, and trust Him fully. Now, let’s walk together through who God reveals Himself to be. ________________________________________ 1. God Is Creator — The Beginning of Everything Begins With Him The Bible opens with a bold, simple declaration: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” — Genesis 1:1 And honestly, I find it a little humorous how people often present the two major views of how everything began. On one hand, you have the Big Bang: An invisible, unexplainable force that made something out of nothing. On the other hand, you have God: An invisible, eternal Being who made something out of nothing. When you put them side by side, it’s almost funny. In both cases, a cause outside the visible universe sparks life into existence. Both require faith. Both ask us to believe in something we can’t physically observe. The real question isn’t whether an invisible cause started everything. The real question is Who or what that cause is. Some say the universe exploded into existence with no personal intent or meaning. Christians believe the universe was spoken into existence by a personal God filled with purpose, creativity, and love. And here’s the irony: Even the Big Bang—a sudden burst of light and energy—sounds very similar to “Let there be light.” It just depends on how you view it. Many scientists now affirm the universe had a beginning— that time, space, and matter came into existence suddenly, and that the cause must exist outside of all three. That sounds a whole lot like God. Science often describes how things work. The Bible reveals Who made them work— and why He made them at all. God didn’t create because He needed anything. He created because He is overflowing with love, creativity, and purpose. You are not an accident. You are not random. You were created intentionally by a God who knows you and loves you. ________________________________________ 2. God Is Eternal — Unchanging, Unbound by Time, Always Present Psalm 90:2 says: “From everlasting to everlasting, You are God.” God existed before the universe. He exists beyond time. He does not age, weaken, or evolve. He is not learning or adjusting. He simply is. When Moses asked for His name, God responded: “I AM WHO I AM.” — Exodus 3:14 Not “I was.” Not “I will be.” Just I AM—constant, faithful, ever-present. This matters because: • Feelings change. • People change. • Circumstances change. • Cultures change. God does not. The God who spoke in Genesis is the same God listening to your prayers today. You can build your life on a God who never shifts. ________________________________________ 3. God Is Father — Loving, Protecting, Guiding, and Caring for His Children When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He didn’t say: • “Our Judge…” • “Our Creator…” • “Our King…” He said: “Our Father…” — Matthew 6:9 Jesus intentionally revealed the heart of God as a Father— not distant, cold, or harsh, but relational, present, deeply loving. But for many people, the word “father” is complicated. If your earthly father: • abandoned you, • criticized you, • abused you, • ignored you, • or failed to protect you, then seeing God as Father may feel painful or impossible. Here is the truth you need to hear: God is not the reflection of your earthly father. He is the perfection of fatherhood. Scripture reveals that God is a Father who: • Loves His children (1 John 3:1) • Protects them (Psalm 46:1) • Provides for them (Matthew 6:31–32) • Guides them (Psalm 23) • Disciplines them out of love (Heb. 12:6) • Delights in them (Zeph. 3:17) He is the Father who runs to the prodigal, not away. The Father who carries His children when they are weak. The Father who fights for His family. The Father who never leaves, never wounds, never abuses, never manipulates. He is the Father your soul was created for. ________________________________________ 4. God Is Triune — One God in Three Persons We believe in one God who exists eternally as: • Father • Son • Holy Spirit Not three gods. Not one God wearing three masks. Not one God shifting between roles. One Being. Three Persons. Perfect unity. Why does this matter? 1. God has always been relational. Love existed before creation within the Trinity. 2. God models unity and partnership. The Father plans, the Son accomplishes, the Spirit empowers. 3. The Trinity reveals the depth of God’s love. The Father sends. The Son sacrifices. The Spirit transforms. The Trinity isn’t a puzzle. It’s a beautiful mystery that shows us God’s relational, united, and loving heart. ________________________________________ 5. God Is Sovereign — Fully in Control, Completely Good Sovereignty does not mean: • God forces human choices • God removes free will • God causes evil • God micromanages every detail Sovereignty means: • God’s authority is absolute • God’s plans are unstoppable • God is never surprised • God is never defeated • God works all things for the good of His people God’s sovereignty isn’t about control— it’s about trustworthiness. He is powerful enough to rule creation and tender enough to walk with you through pain. ________________________________________ 6. God Is the Giver of Free Will — The Gift That Makes Love Possible Free will is one of God’s greatest gifts—second only to grace. Why? Because love cannot exist without choice. If God forced obedience, forced worship, forced devotion— it wouldn’t be love. So God gave humanity the ability to: • obey or disobey, • pursue Him or reject Him, • choose good or choose evil, • forgive or stay bitter, • love or hurt, • move toward God or away from Him. This gift is beautiful… and dangerous. It is the foundation for: • every act of kindness • every act of evil • every moment of worship • every moment of rebellion Free will explains why beauty exists and why brokenness exists. You are not a robot. You are a person God loves— a person capable of choosing Him freely. God’s sovereignty and human free will do not compete. They work in perfect tension. God’s will is ultimate. Your choices are meaningful. Together, they shape your life and your relationship with God. ________________________________________ 7. God Is Good — Perfect in Character, Perfect in Love Everything God does flows from His goodness. He cannot: • lie • manipulate • harm • betray • act out of evil He is holy, just, patient, merciful, gracious, and loving. If anything in your life contradicts His goodness, it did not come from Him. ________________________________________ 8. Why Understanding God Matters for Everyday Life If God is Creator — your life has purpose. If God is Father — you are loved and safe. If God is Eternal — He is your anchor. If God is Triune — you were designed for community. If God is Sovereign — you can trust Him. If God gives free will — your choices matter. If God is good — you can run to Him, not from Him. Your entire worldview rises or falls on who you believe God is. ________________________________________ 9. Don’t Just Take My Word for It — Explore Him Yourself Read these Scriptures this week: • Genesis 1 • Psalm 23 • Psalm 90 • Matthew 6 • Luke 15 • John 14–17 • Romans 8 • 1 John 3–4 Ask God to reveal Himself to you as: • Creator • Father • Sovereign • Good • Present Don’t quit when Scripture stretches you. Lean in. Ask questions. Search. God loves revealing Himself to those who seek Him. ________________________________________ 10. Final Thought: The Way You See God Shapes the Way You Live If you believe God is distant, you will feel alone. If you believe He is harsh, you will hide. If you believe He is controlling, you will resist. If you believe He is passive, you will feel abandoned. But if you believe He is: • Creator • Eternal • Triune • Father • Sovereign • Good • Loving • Wise • Present …then everything about your life changes. Your identity changes. Your peace changes. Your purpose changes. Your relationships change. Your decisions change. Your worship changes. Who God is determines who you become. Anchor your life to the God who created you, loves you, redeemed you, empowers you, guides you, and walks with you every step of the way.