Last year, at the end of 2014, I asked a simple question. “What are you going to do next year to change the world?”

Usually, when someone asks a question like that, people immediately rush to the grand, spectacular ways they’re going – or rather, think they should – change the world. Well, we need to stop hunger and find a cure for cancer and _______. What can I do to change all that? Change the world has come to mean change all mankind, when often, we’re called to change the small part of the world that’s been given to us.

We all have our God-given talents that, I believe, have been given to us to do exactly that: have a positive influence in the lives you know. For you, it might be painting or encouraging or a scientific mind. For me, it’s stories.

So, back to the blog title’s question: can a story – or stories – change the world? Of course they can.

Let’s go to the greatest storyteller every here on this earth and remembered forever on: Jesus. Amongst his miracles and teachings and sacrifices, Jesus also told stories, little parables that had huge influences on the world.

Now, I am in no way comparing my writing to Jesus’. But it’s a major example that can still be lived out today, in ways that can change the world.

Last year, we were blessed to be able to support the SmileTrain charity, an organization that pays for children’s cleft lip surgeries, in countries from Kenya to Honduras to America. Stories that were given to me from above we’re able to fund little Amos’ surgery. (Click here to see his pictures.)

I only hope to continue writing stories in order to keep supporting positive changes in the world more and more.

Today, this month, and for the rest of the year, I encourage you to keep in your heart and mind the question: what can I do to change the world? You don’t have to eradicate poverty and out-do Gandhi. But maybe, you can use what you have been given and change the world in the ways you know how…right now.

– Paul Worthington