Change

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.  ~Romans 12:2 (NLT)

For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.  ~Romans 6:4 (NLT)

Change can be unsettling—maybe even frightening.  In many cases, change requires letting go of something known and comfortable, and stepping into something unknown and uncomfortable.  Change sometimes happens because we examine our circumstances and make a choice to do something different or new.  But sometimes change is brought about by other people, or by circumstances we can’t control.  Sometimes change is easy; at other times change can be quite difficult.

Have you faced, or are you facing, difficult changes in your life?  Have you had to make changes that you didn’t choose?

I have lived through many changes in my life.  Some changes, like getting married or becoming a mother, have brought me joy.  Some changes, like moving to a new city, going to a new school, changing jobs, or discerning and following my call into lay ministry, have caused me anxiety.  Other changes, like the divorce of my parents, the death of loved ones, or broken relationships, have caused me pain.  My journey through these many changes has taught me that I cannot avoid change.  And that is okay,  because I have the assurance that God can use the changes to bring about good.

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.  ~Romans 8:28 (NLT)

I looked up some synonyms for the word change.  Here are a few: transformation, transition, innovation, variety, advance, shift, and turn.  These are words that represent good things—things we need.  

Without change:

• Caterpillars would not transform into butterflies
• Seeds would not transition into living, growing plants
• Medical, scientific, and artistic innovations would not occur
• Seasons would offer no variety
• Children would not advance into adulthood
• A broken heart would not shift to forgiveness
• And Paul would not have turned his life around to become an Apostle of Christ.

Without change, broken people would not be redeemed.  According to Paul, in his letter to the Romans, change must take place in the way we think and the way we live, if we are to know God’s will for our lives.  Christ died and was raised from the dead, so that we could be made into new people, who are living new lives through baptism.  We cannot follow Christ unless we are willing to say yes to the changes He wants us to make.

I’m sure there are many changes I need to make in order to become the woman God created me to be.  I know that some of the changes will challenge me more than others.  I’m not particularly courageous, and I like staying safely inside my comfort zone.  How about you?  Are you ready to take a step toward the future God has for you?  If you don’t already have one, I encourage you to find a community of believers to take that step with you.

Have a blessed week!

Change is not something that we should fear. Rather, it is something that we should welcome. For without change, nothing in this world would ever grow or blossom, and no one in this world would ever move forward to become the person they’re meant to be. ~B.K.S. Iyengar