Embracing Change
Change will always be a thorn in our sandals. We take comfort in knowing what we believe tomorrow will bring and we conveniently deny the obvious fact that we simply can’t control the big changes. We can moderate this, by orchestrating some variety in our lives, with the intention of reaching out toward whatever God is holding for us. We do this while lessening our grip on that and those with whom we have grown so comfortable. We fear change because we see the potential for failure and rejection, loss and heartache. Change also offers us the very real potential for success and acceptance, gain and happiness.
Jesus of Nazareth, spent most of His life with his family and acquaintances before embarking on the Good News journey that would change the course of history. His chosen apostles, virtually left their prior lives behind to follow Jesus. In this change, Jesus didn’t forget or abandon His family, rather He expanded His family. In Mark 3:31-35, “then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, ‘your mother and brothers are outside looking for you. ‘Who are my mother and my brothers?‘ he asked. Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, ‘Here are my mother and brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother“. The bible tells us not to abandon our families, especially where care is warranted but it also tells us to love our neighbors and our enemies, because care is warranted. This is the existence prescribed for the wandering children of God, the day that we chose not to adhere to God’s very simple “must not” instructions (Ge 2:17). Change is the seasonal fruit of the seeds planted for us by our ancestors and those which we plant every day.
Our lives, by traveling the same paths over and over again, create the ruts, which slow our passage and progress. A fresh path can offer opportunity, excitement and the potential to grow again, while perhaps improving the lives of others whom we might not otherwise have intersected with. Knowing the difference between good change and bad can only come from knowing God’s will. Although we may only get occasional glimpses of His will, that’s often enough, if we are listening and of course recognizing the many ways in which God directs our lives.
JC Calkins with COMMON SENSE 4 UNCOMMON PEOPLE
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