It is true, change does begin with inspiration. But how? Isn't it fleeting - here today, gone tomorrow? How could inspiration truly impact change?
God's word tell us in II Timothy 3:16 that "All scripture is given by inspiration of God..." Let's let that sink in, I'll come back to it.
I learned from reading a Harvard Business Review entitled "Why Inspiration Matters" by Scott Barry Kaufman that inspiration provokes the awareness of new possibilities. With its three-dimensional approach to change and transformation, the science of inspiration reveals that it's not just a fleeting thought or feeling. Inspiration actually brings clarity to our thoughts, facilitates progress toward goals, helps actualize new ideas and vision; and it increases well-being. The article goes on to suggest that inspired people share similar characteristics. In a nutshell:
Inspired people are more apt to see the glass half full. They are positive and optimistic, which leads to more positive outcomes. Inspired people sing more, dance more and enjoy the life they create for themselves more - they are happier. Inspired people share an intrinsic joy and motivation that is not initiated or guided by external things and people. As a result, they live more authentic and unapologetic lives. Inspired people build, create and collaborate. They have hope and resurrect hope in others. And they have a stronger drive to master their work without competition.
Could this be why the words that many of us live by in the Holy Scriptures were inspired by God? Could it be that God wanted to masterfully use people with open hearts and open minds that were motivated by an internal joy, inspired by community, and possessed the stamina to master their message without interference from other people? Could it be that God's inspired word was where it started? Could it be that God's inspired word actually is "profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" as it says in II Timothy 3:16? Could it be that the outcome of God's inspiration would be that the people << still today >> are "complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" so long as they openly receive it, as verse 17 summarizes?
When we inspire people through stories that illustrate love, articulate truth and demonstrate the manifestation of hope, we begin to empower families - the building block of our society. We begin to restore communities - the safe haven for our children and families to learn and grow in healthy ways. And we begin to improve the systems in which we live, work and play.
The best things in life are unseen, that's why we close our eyes when we kiss, cry and dream. ~ Helen Keller