The New Delhi Go Green Project

1 Thessalonians 1:5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.

New Delhi is a city of approximately 24 million people. For those of you keeping score, that is more than the entire population of California living in a geographic footprint the size of Atlanta, GA. To say it is crowded and congested is a ridiculous understatement. I happened to be there in May, when the heat and humidity is suffocating with temps clocking in consistantly over 120 each day. The collective smog produced from car exhaust and factories was so heavy that it choked the sun's light and forced it to set an hour early each day. It was a little disturbing to look up to the sun and not be blinded by its rays as the air pollution filtered out most of its light. At least a few people had realized there was a serious greenhouse gas problem. There was a government supported initiative to plant some seedling trees in the medians of some of the highways and roads. Now even as I write this I have to smile at the futility of the attempt at "Going Green". I know it maybe hard for you to picture, but in my weeks stay there I think I saw only about an acre of green grass and maybe another 30 acres of brown grass and few trees as well. So the picture is of 24 million people driving cars and working in factories that are mostly unchecked by an EPA like agency in terms of emitting pollution. Generations of neglect and the effects of that have produced an extremely harsh, humid and polluted environment with only scant traces of green foliage reserved only for 5 star hotels. The 10,000 or so 12 inch sapplings that had been planted to help "save the environment" have about as much affect as me dropping a cooler full of ice in the Gulf, not much.

As I pondered this in my heart, I first related the sapplings to the church in India. It is small in number, and is seemingly having little effect on changing the culture as Idols are everywhere in full view. As I thought through it further, I was able to relate it as well to the church in the US. I don't want to underscore the faith led good works that do happen, but I don't see the culture- changing Power of the Gospel that Paul knew so well beaming out of our churches. Paul says when he came to Thessalonica, he came with more than just words and talk, He brought God along with Him as the Holy Spirit's power was going to change the world. He came with full conviction that God was going to shake things up, and that He had sufficient power to do just that.

I have used this analogy to search the self imposed boundaries of my own faith. Where is the power of God in my walk? Do I have the same mind set and convictions as Paul? Is God changing the World through me? The answers are better than they once were by His grace. I once was simply content to talk about things and attend some religious activities. Now I am not content without the power of the Holy Spirit burning in my heart.

Think through your walk and the life of your church. How much power is eminating outward from it to change the world? There is a tendency to mirror the "New Delhi Go Green inititaive" which talks through a plan and celebrates the "acheivements" of teh plan, but really has no effect.

It is only as we sit at the feet of Christ and are strengthened by Him, do we have the Power to change anything. He gives us the power, the vision and the pleasure to carry out His will on Earth. Do you have any of them? Please do not let the devil convince you that you can't ever be a part of changing the world. Ponder it in your Heart and search for Christ in the Bible, in your prayers and in your life.