“The truth is, change can be hard. And that is not just true physically, it is true spiritually, emotionally and relationally as well. Each of us face various struggles, areas in which we need to change. Some face addictive behaviors, or those repetitive sins which seem to overwhelm us. Others struggle with thoughts we know are far from pleasing to God. Perhaps self-control and anger plague you, but whatever the area of struggle, we all know that we need to change… God commands us to change and God causes us to change. Because Christianity is more than just a decision to make Jesus your Savior. It's also a determination to walk with Jesus as your Lord.”
– Pastor Tony Walliser
It’s me again. The old dog on the porch. The one who’s watched a lot of sunrises, buried a few bones, and learned that barking at the wind never did change the weather.
I’ve noticed something about us humans—and yes, I said us, because I live with you and love you and listen to you talk. A lot.
You want to change the world.
Fix it.
Straighten it out.
Post about it.
Argue about it.
Now I’m just a dog, but I’ve learned this much:
Barking at the darkness doesn’t turn on the light.
The Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 2:12–16 that we are to “work out” our salvation with fear and trembling, because it is God who works in us—giving us both the will and the power to do what pleases Him. Then he says to do everything without grumbling or arguing so we can “shine like stars” in a crooked and perverse generation.
That’s an inside-out kind of change.
Most folks want outside-in change.
Change them.
Change the system.
Change the weather.
Change the other political party.
Change my spouse.
Change my boss.
Change my church.
Bark. Bark. Bark.
For inside out change, first comes the focus on the right power.
Paul says it’s God who works in us.
Not our opinion.
Not our volume.
Not our social media account.
The power isn’t in how loud we bark; it’s in Who lives in our heart.
I’ve seen my human try to open a jar with his bare hands and fail.
Then he grabs the right tool—and pop—it opens.
If you want change out there, we better have the right power in here.
The Holy Spirit isn’t impressed with noise.
He’s interested in obedience.
Second comes the right attitude.
“Do everything without grumbling or arguing.”
Now that one stings a little… even for a dog.
I’ve grumbled when my food was late.
I’ve argued with the cat next door like it was a sworn enemy.
But Paul says if you want to shine, we need to stop growling at everybody in the yard.
Grumbling dims the light.
Arguing muddies the witness.
You don’t clean up a muddy pond by stomping in it.
Third comes the right effort.
“Work out your salvation.”
Notice he didn’t say work for it.
That’s already settled at the cross.
But work it out—like stretching your legs after a long nap.
Change requires effort.
Not loud effort.
Not flashy effort.
Faithful effort.
Daily obedience.
Tail-wagging consistency.
Choosing patience when we’d rather snap.
Choosing kindness when we’d rather correct.
Choosing silence when we’d rather post.
Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do for the world is shut our mouth long enough to show our life.
Let your marriage shine.
Let your integrity shine.
Let your forgiveness shine.
Let your quiet faithfulness glow in the dark.
Paul says we “hold fast to the word of life.”
That means we don’t just quote it—we cling to it.
Live it.
Walk it around the block.
Let folks see it in how we treat the waiter, the neighbor, the stranger, and yes—even the person who disagrees with us.
Stars don’t argue with the night.
They just shine.
If we want to see change in our world, start with what’s inside.
Let God supply the power.
Choose the right attitude.
Put in the steady effort.
Then step outside and glow a little.
We might be surprised at how much darkness backs up when someone simply shines.
Remember—less barking, more shining.
Listen to this old dog… change happens from the inside out.
Keep the Faith… Carpe Diem
