Submitted
by Jim Garner
Change! It can have lots of different meanings or applications. For
example, the dictionary says if change is being used as a verb it means, “to
make or become different” or “replace with another”. However, if it is used as
a noun it can be a “coin as opposed to paper currency”. (“Show me the money!”
That’s too technical so let’s talk real life application. I do like
change but I would rather have the bills. (How about you?) Change can also be used as a social or
political word to inspire a people group or political party who want to see
ideals or values differently. And there are times we just like change because
we get bored with the same old thing or we might need a different purpose.
But there’s also the other side of change that people don’t like. They
don’t want things to be different! (Is that you?) They get comfortable and are
satisfied with the way it is. But whether we like it or not, change is a part
of life. We all will go through it – it’s not a matter of IF but WHEN.
This past year has been a season of change for my family. In one year,
my oldest son moved three times all with the same employer from Austin to Boise
to DFW and back to Austin. My youngest son got married, graduated college, and
then got his first full-time church job. My daughter got her driver’s license
and is beginning to think seriously about college and a career path. (“Yikes!
Time needs to slow down!”) And then to top it off, my wife retired from
teaching and has now become a real estate agent. Please pray for us…that’s a
lot of change. I’m excited about it but it’s different and challenging in so
many ways. But it’s good. It’s life!
The Bible, the much-needed and consistent spiritual authority for life
for Christ-followers offers a lot of encouragement and strength as we face
change in our lives. It’s coming…we just need to be ready. One minute we think
we have life all figured out and “just about the way we want it” when the
following things happen:
*Loss of job or job change *Relocation
to a different area of the state or country
*Put on a different team or group *A
natural disaster hits our home or church
*Sickness or death in the family
We think: “That’s not what I wanted!” But we don’t always get what we
want or think we need. But there is hope and purpose in everything even when we
don’t see it. Check out some of these great verses the Bible offers us for
support in remembering who is ultimately in charge and that He has a plan for
our lives even though we don’t have it all figured out all the time. And that’s okay!
Hebrews
13:8 – “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Joshua
1:9 – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be
frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever
you go.”
Philippians
4:6-7 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the
peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and
your minds in Christ Jesus.”
