Foundations of Change: A Deep Transformation
- Raymond Melendez
- Jun 12
- 4 min read
At the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva issued a loud and clear call for urgent climate resilience, advising world leaders to move their net-zero emissions targets up to 2040 or 2045. Warning that 2024 could become the hottest year on record, Lula emphasized that the world no longer has the luxury of delay. “We have the science, the technology, and the resources,” he said. “What we need now is the willpower.” He also advocated for increased finance to help developing nations, particularly in the Global South, who face the harshest consequences of a warming planet yet possess the fewest means to respond.
Lula’s words echo a deeper truth—a truth also reflected in 1 Corinthians 3. The Apostle Paul addresses the early church, urging them to mature in mind. “You are still worldly,” Paul writes, urging them to build on the foundation of Christ. A strong foundation is essential for a deep commitment to preserving the world.
Whether confronting the fires of climate crisis or the refining fire of truth, the message is clear: the foundations have been laid—it is time to build.
Spain’s Energy and Foundation
As the world grapples with the urgent need for sustainable solutions, Spain stands out as a compelling example of how strong foundations can yield a lasting impact. In 2023, the country reduced its natural gas consumption by 10.7%, thanks to a decisive pivot toward renewable energy (International Energy Agency). With wind and solar now powering over half of its electricity grid, Spain’s energy transition has not only cut emissions but also improved its resilience in the face of instability. This success is rooted in a foundation of long-term vision, a committed investment, and collaboration. It is a foundation established well before Spain's energy crisis.
This same principle of building on strong foundations is echoed in the words of the Apostle Paul.
“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3).
Paul reminds us that the strength of any structure—be it a nation’s energy strategy or one man's journey—depends on the quality of what is built, revealed, and remains. The test, Paul says, will come through fire—not to consume, but to reveal—and all that remains is built upon strong foundations.
Just as Spain’s clean energy transformation reflects what can be accomplished through strong foundations and a committed will, so too does maturity reflect work built upon sure foundations. In both areas, a genuine transformation is achievable as we continue to build on the solid foundations already established.
USA: Resilient and Spiritual Communities
In an era defined by disruption—whether through climate disasters, cyber threats, or energy shortages—the need for resilience has never been more critical. In the United States, leaders like Kirk Phillips, director of the Air Force Office of Energy Assurance, are pioneering new models of unified, adaptive energy infrastructure. By uniting and integrating operations across the Department of Defense, Phillips secured $98 million in funding to improve energy resilience across military installations—ensuring that vital services remain operational under any circumstance (Department of Defense). His approach highlights a simple but powerful truth: there is resilience and strength in unity.
This is at the heart of Paul’s message in 1 Corinthians 3. Paul rebukes the early church for their division. “Don’t you know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells among you?” (v.16). The Spirit does not reside within, but among a people united. Likewise, in Romans 9, Paul reminds us that our identity is not inherited by an individual or institution—it is revealed among a people.
Whether in securing national energy systems or cultivating mature communities, the message is the same. A people's strength emerges from strong foundations.
Building on the Foundation of Christ
Real transformation is born from a commitment to reconciliation. The Apostle Paul teaches that the mark of the Spirit is in the willingness to change for the sake of others—mirroring Christ, “who, being the Son of God, did not consider equality with God … but made himself a servant of God” (Philippians 2:6–7).
This truth echoes through Scripture.
“Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s” (Matthew 22:21).
Jesus reminded them that everything already belongs to God—our past, our differences, our hope, and even the ground we stand on. Moses’ encounter at the burning bush (Exodus 3:5) reveals this: the ground was always holy. Nothing was consumed, not even the bush.
The Book of Mormon bears witness to the same foundation. In Helaman 5:12, the prophet declares, “It is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ… that ye must build your foundation.” Like Paul, Helaman affirms that anything built on Christ will be revealed, remain, and be made holy unto God. It is a call to build—and to build upon God's holy work of change.
Change begins with stepping onto what has always been holy and revealing it as good and pleasing to God.
All that Remains: A Strong Foundation
From Brazil’s urgent climate proposals to Spain’s renewable energy breakthroughs and the U.S.’s advancements in energy resilience, 2025 marks a critical moment in humanity’s response to climate change. The threats are no longer future possibilities—they are unfolding now, in rising seas, record heat, and intensifying storms. Yet within this global challenge lies an opportunity: to build a cleaner, more sustainable world through coordinated action, innovation, and commitment to strong foundations.
This call to build is mirrored in the spiritual truths of 1 Corinthians 3. The Apostle Paul warns that while many claim to walk by the Spirit, they remain immature until they build upon the foundations already laid. For in the end, it is not what the fire removes but what the fire reveals, and all that remains is holy.
Just as the world must now construct systems, policies, and communities that can withstand environmental and social upheaval, so must it also build upon the fire of truth. The word is clear: humanity's future—whether environmental or spiritual—is secured upon strong foundations with an everlasting vision for generations to come.
Works Cited
Department of Defense. Energy Assurance Bolstered by $98 Million in New Resilience Funding. Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations, and Environment, 2023, https://www.defense.gov/. Accessed 12 June 2025.
International Energy Agency. Spain 2023 Energy Policy Review. IEA, 2023, https://www.iea.org/. Accessed 12 June 2025.
