I was planning to post this a few weeks ago after all the furor over yet another change that was instituted by Facebook. But then we went through some changes in our ministry as we said good bye to our Associate Pastor of 14 years and there were many holes to fill and for a time I had to set some things like this blog aside until I adjusted. So I am still thinking about change.
Change happens. There is nothing we can do about it. Sometimes it is foisted on us from sources like Facebook in which we feel we have no choice. And we complain for a while and then we get used to it an go on. Just like most Facebook users have done. Change happens. We have no choice but to grow older, we can't stop the process, it happens. We complain about it; we work hard to slow down the process; but it still happens.
I have been in conversations with people who tell me that they literally hate change and want everything to always be the same. Then they excuse themselves and take a call on their cell phone. A change that they have accepted and taken advantage of. I am writing this blog on my laptop, wirelessly connected to the internet; a change that I have gladly accepted and taken advantage of. Our family has changed as our two daughters have married and our son is in college. Change that we celebrated and change that has expanded our family, enriched our lives and given us to date three grandchildren.
Change happens. Originally I was going to write about the fact that Jesus told us that unless we change and become like little children we cannot follow him (Matthew 18:3). Those of us who don't like change need to take to heart those words that even God expects us to change. In fact only God does not change (James 1:17). If we are to follow Jesus we must change. So why do we tend to resist change? Why do we complain about change in life? What is it about change that sets many of us on edge?
Let me just toss out one idea that comes to my mind as I have thought about this topic. Maybe our resistance to change says more about our faith in God than it does anything else. Could it be that the key to dealing with change in life comes back to that age old idea of contentment? Consider this: in Philippians 4:12-13 after describing the variety of circumstances in which he found himself, Paul states that the secret of contentment is depending on God who gives him strength. His circumstances changed drastically, but his God did not and the reality of that faith relationship was his anchor. I can be content in changing circumstances when I put my faith in God and believe that he is fully aware of all I face now and in the future,and fully capable of meeting all my needs. You see contentment is really based on faith and faith in God is what will help me navigate change. Change happens.
