Political campaigns are a mixture of flattery and
condemnation. Adlai Stevenson said, “I suppose flattery hurts no one, that is,
if he or she does not inhale.” Some confessed, “I smoked dope, but I did not
inhale.” Every- one acknowledged they changed
to avoid condemnation. People do change and give up old habits by God’s transforming
grace.
Reinhold
Niebuhr realized change was necessary, so he composed the Serenity Prayer in
1934. Listen for a moment: “God, give us grace to accept with serenity what cannot
be changed, courage to change what can be changed, and wisdom to know the
difference.” Serenity means composure and contentment.
Our past follows
us into the future, but by God’s grace and mercy it surrenders the grasping
choke-hold that enslaves us. God equips us with courage to step up to the
challenge of change, to take hold of the newness of life that comes by faith in
Christ Jesus. He is the giver of wisdom and permanent change to all who seek
it.
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