Inspired by lyrics to “It’s Up to Me” by Sue Riley, Nathen Aswell, Glen Roethel:
“If I seek the Truth, let me speak the Truth. If I’m lost in doubt, let me believe. I know I can be the change I want to see. If it’s to be, it’s up to me.
If I’m feeling stressed, let me stop and rest. If I’m feeling hurt, let me forgive. I know I can be the change I want to see. If it’s to be, it’s up to me.
If I dream of peace, let me live in peace. When I start from love, I am love. I know I can be the change I want to see. If it’s to be it’s up to me.”
Responsive Reading for August 15
“Someone from the crowd answered [Jesus], ‘Teacher, I have brought to you my son possessed by a mute spirit. Wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive it out, but they were unable to do so.’… They brought the boy to him. And when he saw him, the spirit immediately threw the boy into convulsions…. Then he questioned his father, ‘How long has this been happening to him?’ He replied, ‘Since childhood…. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.’ Jesus said to him, ‘If you can! Everything is possible to one who has faith.’ Then the boy’s father cried out, ‘I do believe, help my unbelief!’” (Mk. 9:17-23).
If I seek the Truth, let me speak the Truth.
If I’m lost in doubt, let me believe.
I know I can be the change I want to see.
If it’s to be, it’s up to me.
“If it must be so, then do this: … Be off on your way…. May God Almighty grant you mercy” (Jacob’s blessing for his sons as they set off on their brave journey back to Egypt, Gen. 43:11-15).
If I’m feeling stressed, let me stop and rest.
If I’m feeling hurt, let me forgive.
I know I can be, the change I want to see.
If it’s to be, it’s up to me.
“Choose today whom you will serve …. As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” (Josh. 24:15).
If I dream of peace, let me live in peace.
When I start from love, I am love.
I know I can be the change I want to see.
If it’s to be, it’s up to me.
“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?’ ‘Here I am,’ I said; ‘Send me!’” (Is. 6:8).
I know I can be the change I want to see.
If it’s to be, it’s up to me!