Change is inevitable. Agree or disagree? I think most people would agree with that statement... especially around this time of the year. Another new year seems to always bring change and resolution to make changes. Some people embrace the change, even welcome it, while others fear it. Some people avoid change at all cost while others deem it unavoidable and simply a fact of life. In the midst of change and an ever-evolving society it's easy to forget that we have a God who stays the same. As the writer of Hebrews put it, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Hebrews 13:8 NIV). Or as God Himself said, "I am God... Yes, I AM. I haven't changed" (Malachi 3:6 MSG). A God who doesn't change is, at the same time, comforting and challenging.
David Bazan (formerly known as Pedro the Lion... an indie rock band in the late 90s, early 00s) wrote a heart-spilling song called "Letter From A Concerned Follower." In it he laments on God's inability (or refusal) to adapt to the changing times. He sings, "I hear that You don't change / How do You expect to keep up with the trends?" When I first heard that line I was appalled... of course God doesn't change! But then I realized how often I too had expected Him to change, to adapt... to accommodate me and my schedule, my choices, my beliefs, and the life I wanted to live. All the while, I was ignoring God calling me to change... "Don't be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to Him" (Romans 12:2 CEV). "You were told that your foolish desires will destroy you and that you must give up your old way of life with all its bad habits. Let the Spirit change your way of thinking and make you into a new person. You were created to be like God, so please Him and be truly holy" (Ephesians 4:22-24 CEV). That was His call for His people then; and it is His call for His people still today. God doesn't change... but we do. Instead of asking God to change, to accommodate your choices, or to squeeze into your busy lives, ask Him to be number one, top priority, forefront of your life. "These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers... Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need" (Matthew 6:32-33 NLT).
It certainly is the trend, especially in this area, to be busy... which isn't in itself a bad thing. Where we get in trouble is when we push God away in order to make room for all of those things that keep us busy. I think, at times, we expect God to keep up with our fast-paced, over-committed lives; meanwhile, He is yelling out to us, "Be still! And know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10 NIV). Imagine the peace that would flood our lives if we only took His advice. It's the peace that comes with knowing who God is, what He has done, and what He is capable of doing. And it's a peace that comes when we slow down and create time and space for God to reveal Himself to us. Replacing our expectations and the expectations of those around us is not easy. It's radical and risky. It may mean that we miss out on some things, or even lose some friends. But obeying God and being a new creation was never meant to be easy... or popular... or safe. It was meant to give us a life worth living, and a hope worth living for. The good news is that our God, the God of new-beginnings, of fresh-starts, of second-chances, offers us all of those things. And with the help of the Holy Spirit, change is possible. Make this year different. Embrace the change that God is continually working in you. Stop trying to change Him, and let Him transform you into the image-bearer you were created to be. Happy New Year!
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