I had to write an essay in school a couple of months ago, and the assigned topic was, "What do you think is the greatest problem facing the world today, and why?" I said it was the environment (and I got an "A" on the essay), but I'd like to know what your answer would have been. — L.K.

Our world faces many problems today—and every one of them is almost overwhelming. Your essay certainly dealt with an important one—but the list is almost endless, from poverty and war to famine and disease. In some parts of the world, most children will never live to see adulthood.

But I am convinced that the greatest problem facing the world today is our need for moral and spiritual renewal. We need God to touch our hearts and change our lives—for only then will we be willing to turn from our selfish ways and honestly seek to make this a better world. Yes, our problems are often complex and won't be solved overnight—but unless our hearts are changed, they will never be solved at all.

Why is this? The reason is because most of our problems have a deeper cause: the greed and selfishness of the human heart. Jesus said, "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander" (Matthew 15:19). How different our world would be if all these could be erased!

Yes, we need our hearts changed—and that can happen, as we turn to Christ and allow Him to come into our lives. If you have never done so, open your heart to Christ today—and then ask Him to change you so you can make this world a better place.