By Mallory Schlabach, Editor in Chief
Face the Facts
This week TIME magazine came out with its annual 100 list – this year the list captures the people who shape our world. Included are artists, performers, scientists, leaders, builders, heroes and thinkers, who through their power, talent or example have or are transforming the world around them.
Next week hundreds of students will leave Abilene and set out into the "real world," as so many seniors like to say, to accomplish their goals, achieve their dreams and every other cliche saying you can think of.
The professors, administrators and staff who guide students during their four-year stay would like to see every person that leaves ACU be someone who transforms the world – that is, in theory, why we’ve come to college in the first place, am I correct?
The mission of ACU is to educate students for Christian service and leadership throughout the world. The question is are we prepared to do it?
While I’m sure not every, or even very many, seniors walking across the stage May 12 will wind up featured in TIME magazine for their accomplishments, I do think that everyone does have the ability to transform the world.
Setting out to transform the world takes guts. It is something that will require going against the flow of culture to make a statement, to do what’s right, to lead by example.
As a Christian, going against the norm should come naturally – it’s what we’re already expected to do. But transforming the world also takes passion.
Passion is defined as a strong or compelling action. What will we feel compelled to do once we leave the sanctuary of Abilene?
In the 60 years of life that, God-willing, I have left, I’d like to see my world transformed. Transforming the world won’t happen just with me, but if the girl who sits in front of me in Chapel tries, and the kid who picks up an Optimist each week from Chapel tries, and if everyone of my classmates about to graduate tries, then perhaps I’ll see it transformed.
In my lifetime, I’d like to see someone find a cure for cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 1.4 million people will be diagnosed with cancer in 2007.
I’d like to see the churches of America unite and work together to solve some of society’s problems like homelessness, poverty, hate crimes and racism. I’d like to see the women of America refuse to abort their child because they feel they have no other option, and instead take care of the life that was entrusted to them. I’d like to see less sex, violence, homosexuality and vulgarity on TV, in the entertainment industry and on my radio.
While these may appear to be lofty dreams to accomplish in a span of several decades, they’re also things that can become reality.
By now, all of those packing up to leave hopefully will have the necessary tools to accomplish the university’s mission. We’ve been given a charge to transform the world in every way we know how – who’s ready to start with me?
