The One that never changes
Usually change doesn’t come naturally. It can come with kicking and screaming, hesitation, or just flat out rebellion. But change doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Yes, change often comes with uncertainty… but it can also come with growth, opportunity, and adventure. Look at change with a new hope. See that change can be good, and trust God with the process. Don’t be afraid of what may be around the corner of a new opportunity. Be open. Be willing. Embrace change.
Ephesians 4:21-22 says “when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
The Lord wants to continually refine us, mold us, and break us so that we can become more like Him. But that doesn’t come without change. Our human nature is broken, selfish, and immature. Christ calls us to throw off our old self and daily strive to live in the abundance and the blessing that Christ has for us in a life with Him. A life of hope, forgiveness, love, and purpose. And a life with Christ compels us to live differently. We don’t have to live stuck in our brokenness or shame. Christ has redeemed us. He has set us free. And we have power in His transforming work in us. We live out the characteristics of Christ as we get to know him more. We grow and begin to bear the fruit of the spirit.
Change also takes work. Sometimes hard work. Just like getting in shape takes work to see changes, creating habits takes work to make new lifestyles. And so does growing in our life with Christ. Discipline, determination, passion, and perseverance. And this change is solidified by our time in the Word, our commitment to fellowship, our experience in worship, our desire to pursue Christ, and our willingness to let the Lord be our Maker. The Lord doesn’t want you to stay where you are. He wants you to keep growing.
The one thing we can hold on to in life is Jesus Christ. When situations change, when we change, when location changes, when job changes, when age changes; the Lord remains the same. He is the only trust content that we have. Cling to His truth, His consistency, His goodness.
James 1:17-18 “Every good and perfect gift is from above,coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.”
What area of change in your life have you seen the Lord work?