Change. One word, with so many meanings, feelings, and thoughts. The change I’m talking about can’t be bought or sold, borrowed or bargained. No, this change is the type that finds itself smack in the middle of our everyday lives when life shifts, whether for better or for worse. Often times, people either embrace or resist change. Why is that? Is it because we lose some sort of control? Or perhaps some inner rule that “this is the way it should be”? Or is it simply because we fear what “change” may mean for us, personally?
When I think about change, I think a lot of the Biblical stories, especially King Solomon. He was a rich, wise old man who made mistakes and still sought the Lord.
“A time to give birth and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted. a time to kill and a time to heal; a time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance. A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones; a time to embrace and a time to shun embracing. A time to search and a time to give up as lost; a time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear apart and a time to sew together; a time to be silent and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate; a time for war and a time for peace.”
Talk about change! With that whole list, Solomon’s life must have been constantly changing. And...it probably was. You see, change is not bad or something to be feared. It is part of life, something to be embraced. If we are resistant to change, how can we step into the next place God wants us to take? Or say, sorry, I’m good where I am? Think of what we could--would--be missing if “I can’t deal with anymore change” came to fruition. I think life would lost some of its luster and excitement, and we’d grow complacent, perhaps even comfortable with where we are. Would life as even keeled, routine and unchanging really be desired?
Jesus himself, didn’t have that. His life was a constant change. One day he’s loved, the next hated. One moment Peter would die for him, hours later, he didn’t know him. He changes the lives of people each day. Their life becomes different from how it had been. Jesus reached out and changed the social standing of a woman by healing her and a man by curing his leprosy. Jesus met them where they were, they were open to change, and he used the circumstances they were in to radically turn their lives around. He did that for me, and God can definitely do it for you.
God changes the hearts, minds, careers, and lives of people every day and it is our hope that some of these people will be changed while at Discovery Minsitries this year. It can be scary up on a climb, on the zipline, backpacking through woods, laying under the stars listening to “creepy” sounds that seem right next to your tent, or being away from everything “comfortable”. In those moments, God speaks. God can take those moments to refine and define who you are, where you need to go, and who He wants you to be. He asks us to say “Yes” to being changed.
“There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven.” Are you willing to let God change you this year? The choice is yours.
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