As the clock ticked toward midnight and the revelers in New York’s Times Square began counting down…10…9…8…and the calendar turned from 2007 to 2008, it gave me a moment to pause and think about change. In a very real way I was reminded that time is flying by and with it comes change.
My oldest child recently turned 14 and my seven-year-old can run faster than me. Everyone is growing up and getting older. Let’s face it—change is eminent and inescapable.
For those of you who like and easily embrace change, that is good news. But for those who don’t welcome it, things can be more of a challenge. My encouragement for you—whether or not you value change—is to step back and take a renewed look at it in this new year.
When God put physical reality in motion (Genesis 1:1) thousands of years ago, He wisely created a system and order whereby man and woman would both have everything they needed to physically, emotionally and spiritually thrive. Simultaneously, he also ordered a universe with infinite distance between God (Creator) and man and woman (creation).
Remember, this was before Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating fruit from the forbidden tree. Everything was good, perfect, orderly and in sync with God’s intentions. Of course, we all know that before we get out of Genesis 40 every abominable sin known to mankind had been thought of and or lived out. Even in the beginning, change was God-authored and necessary, beneficial and productive. From the start the distance between Creator and creation was infinite and vast. So it follows that if our life-long pursuit as a Christ-follower is to become like Christ, than real, ongoing change is both needed and constructive.
The apostle Paul reminds us, “not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:12, NAS). Paul adds in Philippians 1, “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6, NAS). Our time here on this temporal earth is really a proving ground, an environment for God to incorporate change into our lives. May this year be marked by numerous purposeful changes in your life authored by God that will move you along in the maturation process of becoming more like Jesus. Take some time today to ask Him what might be a few purposeful things you can do to embrace the change He has purposed for your life this year.
A few suggestions might be:
- Spend time in the spiritual disciplines of prayer and reading God’s Word
- Initiate a small group Bible study in your neighborhood
- Host an evangelistic Super Bowl party in your home (www.powertowin.org)
- Volunteer your time to help out at your church, child’s school or local soup kitchen
- Invite a neighbor to a simulcast of the AIA Super Bowl Breakfast (Athletes in Action 2008 Super Bowl Breakfast)
Have a great 2008!
Praying for God to change all of our lives for His glory,
Bill
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