Change

I woke up this morning thinking about change. Maybe because its autumn now and as I look out my window, I see the yellows creeping into my neighbor's maple tree...or maybe because this past year has been one of the greatest seasons of change in my own life to date! Whatever the case, one thing is certain - change is inevitable.

If change is inevitable, why do we sometimes have such an aversion to it? Why does it seem most of us are predisposed to resisting change instead of embracing it? Granted, I understand that not all change is positive, but God can use all change for our good (see Romans 8:28). Even change brought on as the result of our fallen nature - broken relationships, poor choices, and the like. To resist ALL change is to resist the growth and transformation that God intends for us as His children.

I believe that our ability to cope with change is inextricably linked to our faith in God. Do I believe that God is FOR me? Do I believe that God has my best interest in mind even when going through difficult periods of change?

2 Corinthians 3:17-18 says, "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we...are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."

We cannot expect to be "transformed into his likeness" without undergoing a measure of change. So the question becomes, do we trust God enough to let Him change us? Are we willing to let go of people or situations in our lives that have caused us pain and enter into the freedom that He has for us on the other side?

Ephesians 4:22-24, Colossians 3:9-10, and Romans 12:2 are just three instances in Scripture where God exhorts us to leave the old behind and put on the new nature. This is change! And it does not come automatically! WE are told to "put on the new self". WE are told to "transform our minds". It is our responsibility as a Christ-follower to trust God with our lives and embrace the God-driven change He has for us in Christ Jesus.

But the choice is ours. He will not force change upon us. Nor will He grant the growth that comes from change unless we choose to embrace it. Oh, change WILL come. The only question to be answered is, "How will we be moved by it?"

God-driven change will always move us forward, toward God. Self-driven change (or the resistance of God-driven change) will always keep us exactly where we are or, worse yet, move us farther away from God.

The most common example of this that I see as a pastor and counselor is the issue of unforgiveness. God's heart is for us to walk in forgiveness. Forgiveness is the cornerstone of the Good News of Jesus Christ! Forgiveness is why He came! For me to resist the positive change that comes from forgiveness is a greater statement about my faith and trust in God than it is about the person or situation by which I was offended. I'm basically telling God that I'm the lord (small "l" intended) of my life and I would rather stay where I am, thank you very much! To walk in unforgiveness means that I would rather have the illusion of being in control of my life than embrace the growth that comes with change.

The problem is, I don't just stay where I am. Unforgiveness WILL turn into bitterness. And bitterness allows Satan a base of operations in my heart out of which to steal, kill and destroy me and those around me. (see Ephesians 4:17-32; John 10:10)

Can having Satan loosed in my life through unforgiveness possibly outweigh the freedom that comes from change?!? I don't think so.

The life of a disciple is a life of change. And our attitude toward change is about trust. Change requires an element of risk...which is just another word for faith. The servant in Jesus' parable of the talents was not cast into outer darkness because he did anything illegal or immoral. He simply did not trust his Master's heart.

Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

God's heart is good toward you! So, how are you handling change these days?

Pastor Marc