I have a question for you. How easily do you accept change in your life? Do you resist it or not? The saying, “Everything changes” has always bothered me. I prefer the saying, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” Slowly, I am learning to stop resisting change and be more accepting of it, knowing it is a natural part of life. As difficult as it can be, I also see the goodness that comes with accepting change.
When we stop to think about it, doesn’t it seem that God made basically everything on this earth to change? Can you see the goodness that comes with the changes?
Consider nature, which goes through the four seasons every year.
With nature, we can see the beauty of each season and the renewal it brings. The trees progress from bareness to buds, green leaves, to finally multicolored leaves before falling and returning to the earth. We can experience different events or sports in each season, each offering us something special.
Consider the daily changes in the sky caused by weather patterns and even the sun and moon.
We can see the sun and moon go through their different phases daily, producing beauty. We get to experience hot, sunny days to cold, snowy days and everything in between.
Consider plants and crops.
We can see the fruit of our labor as we plant seeds, water and fertilize them, and then see them grow into food that we can eat.
Consider the ocean tides.
What a glorious sight to see the ocean waters ebb and flow, sharing beauty that we can be immersed in.
Consider the butterflies.
A mere caterpillar goes through growth and transformation and grows into a beautiful butterfly.
Photo courtesy of BK under Creative Commons License (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Maybe through all these changes, God is showing us how we, too, need to be constantly evolving to grow into the wonderful people He has planned. If we don’t change or try new things, there is no growth. As we grow, we can learn and experience more adventures as we strive to be more Christ-like.
For those of you who know me personally, you probably know that I am reserved in a crowd, being more of an introvert. I am able to share better one-on-one. God has been showing me, though, that I need to let go of those preconceived ideas of myself, knowing that God wants us to be constantly evolving into the people He created us to be. We are all unique, and we should not place limitations on ourselves. Being open to God, with His Spirit leading and guiding us, we can do things we think we can’t. Letting God work in and through us, helping us constantly evolve, is a great thing.
God proved this in my life recently. As always, I saw the ripple effect of God’s orchestrations that led me to attend a special church service. As I walked in to find a seat, a lady approached me and said, “How would you like to do a reading? We don’t have any lectors.” I said, “I have never lectored at a service.” She said, “You did it in the Holy Land.” Despite the few thoughts that immediately came to mind, like “You can’t do this,” I felt like I had to give it my best shot. I laughed when she said, “In fact, you can do two readings.” I replied, “I guess it’s baptism by fire!” I did not even have time to read through the Scriptures beforehand.
Proclaiming Scripture in the Holy Land
I took a seat in the first row so I could not see all the people. Truth be told, I needed some prayerful support, so I texted a few people just minutes before the service started to ask for prayer that God would help me. One person said, “Remember you’re doing it for God.” Knowing people were praying was comforting and encouraging.
I can honestly say I felt God’s presence and peace come over me as I read. I felt bad because I stumbled over two words in the first reading, not quite sure how to pronounce the words, but I did what I could. I was pleased that I found myself looking up, reading at a good pace, and trying to use expression. As I was reading the second Scripture, I felt joy that I was able to proclaim the Word that means so much to me. I felt like the words came from my heart. Afterwards, two people told me they think I might have a calling in proclaiming Scripture, yet it is something I thought I could never do.
That experience made me think about the importance of constantly evolving, especially in our faith journey. Don’t we sometimes get stuck in our routines and then maybe stop evolving?
The Lord gave another message to Jeremiah. He said, “Go down to the potter’s shop, and I will speak to you there.” So I did as he told me and found the potter working at his wheel. But the jar he was making did not turn out as he had hoped, so he crushed it into a lump of clay again and started over. Then the Lord gave me this message: “O Israel, can I not do to you as this potter has done to his clay? As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand. –Jeremiah 18:1-6 (NLT)
This Scripture reminds us that the Lord is constantly molding and fashioning us into the people He wants us to be. We need to surrender our will and let Him direct our path. Sometimes God has to keep molding us, as we might rebel at first or get off the path. We are assured that we are always in God’s hand.
Proclaiming Scripture also reminded me that when God calls us to something, He equips us. Do you feel sometimes that you are not able to serve in some way because you are not gifted appropriately?
Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. –Hebrews 13:20-21 (NIV)
God provides us with what we need as we follow His will in our lives. We do not rely on our own power and strength; rather, it is His Spirit working. God is able to do wonders when our hearts are willing to serve Him and step out in faith. We can take comfort in knowing God qualifies those He calls.
Photo courtesy of BK under Creative Commons License (CC BY-SA 2.0)
May you be reminded of the importance of growing in your faith journey as God stretches you to constantly evolve into the person He intends you to be. With growth we can do more than we ever expected because God is working in us.
Be encouraged this week to…
…remember God made things to change and evolve.
…be open to constantly evolving and growing in faith.
…let God mold and fashion you.
…know God equips you with what you need to do His will.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” –Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)