Change is something that we cannot avoid. No matter how much we would like for some things in our life to just stay the same, the truth is that Change Is Inevitable. Our bodies change, our minds change, our jobs change, our possessions change, our circumstances change. Nature is always changing – sprouting, growing, aging, dying, and the cycle of life just continues on and on for eternity. Nothing stays the same in life except for God, For I am the LORD, I do not change. (Malachi 3:6)
Some change can be really hard. That’s why it’s SO important when change comes our way, that we hold on to the Unchanging One! David said in Psalm 61:2, When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to The Towering Rock of Safety. (NLT)
That reminds me of a line in that powerful old hymn written by Edward Mote in 1834, On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand. Amen!
Now some changes are unexpected and unjust, and they come to destroy us. However other times, God calls us to change.
See, the former things have taken place, and NEW THINGS I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you. (Isaiah 42:9, NIV)
God is obviously into change – He declares a new covenant to replace the old, makes us a new creation in Christ, and then in Revelation 21:5, He says He will make all things new.
God doesn’t like it when our lives get stuck in old ways. He is always looking to stir up our comfortable nest and challenge us to move forward in life. Contrary to popular belief, God has not called us to be comfortable but to be fruitful. And being fruitful is not always comfortable. In fact if I’m not mistaken, fruitfulness includes some pruning, which is never comfortable.
There have been many times in our lives that God called us to make bold changes. Shortly after we were married, the Lord called us to move to Tulsa, OK and attend Bible school. I personally didn’t like the idea because I was comfortable in my new marriage, my nice little house, my little job and serving at our local church. Everything was good, going smoothly, and I was not interested in rocking the boat. I just wanted a comfortable, easy life with no challenges. But God had a different plan.
In fact, He not only sent us to Bible school, but then instead of coming back home to my family and friends, He sent us to Phoenix, AZ to begin our very first full-time position on a church staff. After settling in there, I thought we had finally arrived and I was comfy again. But guess what – a year later there was another stirring and challenge to leave the staff position and begin our own local ministry. Then a couple of years later we were called back to St. Louis, where I served on a church staff thinking I would be there forever. But after two years the Lord then called us into full-time traveling ministry! And guess what – with THREE KIDS!! Now that didn’t seem to make ANY sense, but you know it’s always better to be in the will of God than to be comfortable & complacent. I think the apostle Paul would agree with that!
God is always trying to move all of us forward in life and keep us unstuck. It’s disheartening, depressing, and simply against God’s will to be stuck and unfruitful. God wants to help us get free and move forward. He comes in with gentle nudges and dreams and then He challenges us to take steps forward in faith. Just like Peter in the boat, Jesus said, Come, but Peter had to get up and take those first steps to see his miracle.
Is the Lord nudging you to take a step of faith and see what He has for you on the other side? Don’t be afraid! Step out and at least test the waters, and you might find Him there waiting and calling you to “Come” and step into the next part of His plan for Your life.
Jeremiah 29:11, For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Pressing through the changes,
