The Winds of Change
I’ve always been
perplexed by the statement, “The more things change, the more they stay the
same.” After all, experience has
taught me, “The more things change, the more they change.” And it’s a good thing.
We have a way of
keeping our lives as “changeless” as possible. Suggest that a person alter their favorite
restaurant, deodorant, store, coffee brand, or gas station, and you’ll get a
patronizing stare as if you’ve just requested the unthinkable…for, in fact, you
have. We are creatures of habit and
proud of it.
The same applies to
Christians. We have certain
expectations of church favorite styles of songs, nuances of leadership, and
general direction of vision that become part of the makeup of a body. For those things to change means that comfort
and security are jeopardized and the future unsure…but again, that can be good.
The reason that God
not only allows but even initiates change is that it brings a prime opportunity
for growth…but it all depends on how we respond. Well, the question is, what is He asking me
to do?
1) Trust in Him in the midst of
change: Realize that God saw
what you were going to go through not a month, year, or decade ago, but long
before you were born.
2) Believe that Godly change
always brings new dimensions: There
are always new pieces of the puzzle that God wants to bring that can only be
revealed through change.
3) Plant your feet for maximum growth: Our tendency is to complain, run, question or
fear, while the best thing is to remain in the soil that is being cultivated
and “bloom where you are planted,”
Looking to the
Scriptures can give us a historical account of people of different generations of
Israel
that God led through the winds of change and not only survived but thrived.
Moses and Joshua: The great leader of the nation of Israel had seemed indispensable after leading
the children of Israel
for over forty years. In all human
speculations, it seemed an impossible task.
But the Lord had Joshua waiting in the wings ready to propel Israel through
the next phase of victory.
Elijah and Elishah: the bold and powerful prophet of old that had
taken on 450 prophets of Baal and greater still the terrible twosome of Ahad
and Jezebel could hardly find a comparable substitute. Yet, God again was up to the task. Elisha faithfully waited for the mantle to
fall as his Godly mentor rode the chariot to heaven.
David and Solomon: The shepherd boy turned world leader had
established his position as a “legend” and it seemed as if Israel’s engine would come to a
screeching halt. Enters a wise young man
named Solomon who was prepared by God Himself to handle what was ahead.
Change comes in many other forms. Whether trials, passages of life, seasons of
growth, and more, God always had a plan at it is generally to bring glory to
Himself and growth in us. God always has
something special on the horizon when he brings change. I guess it is true…”The more things change…the
more they stay the same.”
Terry Risser
Reflections:
1) Can you recall a changing
season in your life in the recent past?
2) How did God show Himself to
you during that time?
Consider reading the Word today:
Copyright 2014- Terry Risser
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