For most of us, the older we get, the less we tend to like change. We get used to things the way they are, we get comfortable, and then–“Boom!”–change. Change can come in all shapes and in all sizes. Sometimes we see it coming on the horizon and sometimes it sneaks up from behind. Change can happen in every area of our lives. There can be changes in our health, our financial status, our job, and in our relationships. Sometimes there are changes in the way that God calls us to serve Him. Sometimes these changes in life even involve moving to a different house, or town, or state, or even a different country.
One reason why the subject of change is on my mind is because I am writing this post in a house that is filling up with boxes, ready to be moved to another town in just a few more days. Also, there have been several people who have recently talked with me about changes in life they are now facing. Change can be intimidating. Change can be overwhelming. Change can be awesome and exciting!
When we know the Lord, we do not have to face the changes of life alone. In thinking about change, I cannot help but remember the conversation Jesus had with His disciples in John 14-16. For three years, Jesus had been the very center of the disciples’ lives. He had become their everything. Now, He tells them that He is about to leave them. Hearing about this change shakes them to the core.
I want to encourage you to read John 14-16 again, this time, in the context of change. Look at all that Jesus promised His disciples and remember that He makes these same precious and powerful promises to you. He promised that even in the midst of change we can know His peace, His comfort, His presence now within us (the Holy Spirit), His purpose for us (to bear much fruit), His love, His joy, His truth, His power, His victory, and so much more!
God loves us too much to leave us in a comfort zone for too long. That comfort zone can become a rut and as Vance Havner use to say, “A rut is a grave with the ends kicked out.” That’s no place for a child of God to remain.
There are three more truths I want us to remember before I wrap this up and get back to packing. The first truth is this, whenever we face change or we are trying to discern God’s leading in our lives, remember, we are not following a plan, we are following a Person, the Lord Jesus. Don’t be so caught up in trying to figure out the plan or sticking to your plan that you take your eyes off the Person we are supposed to be following. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, The Author and Finisher of our faith. If you stay more focused on the plan instead of the Person, you may miss where Jesus is wanting to lead you. Secondly, even when the changes of life first appear in a negative way, the Jesus of John 16:33 is also the Jesus of Romans 8:28. God can take every situation of life and when we are fully surrendered to Him and His purposes; He can use it for our good and for His glory.
Finally, the Bible tells us that, “We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed-in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall all be changed.”(1 Cor. 15:51-52) I don’t know about you, but that is one change that I am definitely looking forward to! Maranatha!
In Christ’s service
Allen
