without change, we get nowhere...

"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow."

- James 1:2-3

 

This past week and a half have been... well, not the easiest. Let's just say that some big changes have happened at work and I've been spending about 6 hours a day, away from my regular job, helping others through this change. Changes happen whether or not we like them. And truth be told, not many of us like change, do we? It's frustrating. It's hard to get used to. It can be inconvenient, and it can be difficult. I get that. I'm a girl of schedules and consistency. But if we never changed, we'd never get anywhere. And if given the chance, most of us would rarely choose change. And so sometimes, just to propel us forward. we're thrown into change without our consent. But I've well learned that your outlook on change has much to do with how well you handle the change. And even if you can't control what's happening, you can control how you deal with it.

Well, I've spent a week and half walking people through change. Some cases have been easier than others. Some have been open to the change and some have been resistant. And while I'd like to paint myself in the colors of sainthood, I'll say that it has been a test of my patience. There have been moments where I've wanted to argue the change. There have been moments where I've had to really bite my tongue. Because, although the change doesn't seem like such a big deal to me, although I don't think it's difficult, helping others through it has been exhausting. Even though I am equipped with most of the answers and was prepared beforehand, it hasn't been a cake walk.

But the Lord never fails to refine me in these moments. To use them to teach me a little bit more about myself. And I think about how much we hate change. How we want things to stay the same. We don't want to change. We don't want to give up that sin. We don't want to stop being selfish. We don't want to admit that we were wrong and ask for forgiveness. Why should we have to change, we think? It's "their" fault, anyway. They made us mad. They said the wrong thing. They hurt us deeply. They didn't live up to the expectations we set for them. Why should we have to change when we're just fine, when we like things the way they are? Why should we have to stop that addiction when it helps us calm down at the end of the day? Why do we have to change the way we spend our money when the Jones' are still buying? Why should we have to change the way we talk when everyone else around us uses those same words and spreads just as much gossip? Why should we have to change who we are as spouses when it'd just be easier to change our spouse? Why do we have to change the way we parent when we could do our best to change our children? Why should we have to do anything different, anything difficult, anything that might stretch us a bit and cause a little bit of inconvenience, when we can just keep it status quo, "good enough," for the rest of our lives?

Jesus doesn't call us to live a life of status quo. He calls us to a life of change. A changed life. A life that not only endures the changes but perseveres through them, learns from them, grows wiser from them. Sure, life might be easier if it never changed. And sure, it would be nice if everyone else did the changing so that we didn't have to. But that's not how it goes for Jesus followers. He calls us to daily pick up our cross and to follow Him. A change of scenery, a change of thought, a change of attitude, and a change of heart. That's what that means. Jesus didn't die to save you so that you would stay the same. He died so that you could change.

He is your helper. The giver of patience. The one who has the answers and knows just what to do. So ask Him. That's what I do. Ask Him for help. Help to become a better spouse, a better parent, a better worker. Ask Him to change your heart to look more like His, and He will. It's not easy. It's not quick. It's not always convenient or even fun. But change is the only way the Lord can get us where He needs us to be. And it's a good place to be.