I was reminded recently about something I’ve discussed before: Holy Moments as defined by Matthew Kelly in his book The Biggest Lie in the History of Christianity.

A Holy Moment is a moment when you open yourself to God. You make yourself available to him. You set aside what you feel like doing in that moment, and you set aside self-interest, and for one moment you simply do what you prayerfully believe God is calling you to do in that moment. – Matthew Kelly, The Biggest Lie, chapter 7

Matthew argues later on in the book that if enough Jesus followers did enough holy moments, we could change the world (again!). I remember a friend of mine taking issue with that premise. “It will take more than a few people doing ‘holy moments’ to get us out of the mess we’re in,” or something like that.

Interestingly, I just spent some time with that friend on his home turf, and I’ve never seen anyone practice more holy moments! For example, he greets everyone he sees and has long conversations with neighbors, including a 91-year-old legally blind lady across the street. He takes her garbage can to the street on garbage day and fetches her mail whenever he gets his. Then he sits down with her, usually for not less than 30 minutes, going over her mail and listening to her stories. Holy moments all.

And it occurred to me, it doesn’t matter if those actions change the world. They surely change his corner of the world. And that’s all any of us can be responsible for.

Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful. (Titus 3.14, NASB)

Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. (Matthew 5.14 – 16, MSG)

And I have another thought on holy moments changing the world. Stay tuned.