Challenges that Come with Change - Part 3

From a casual perspective, one objective of life and love is to have fun. So, what’s wrong with that? The obsessed, fun-loving person is in love with pleasure to avoid pain. John Keats noted, “Mature love is capable of living with uncertainties, doubt and mystery without impatiently grasping for reasons and facts.”

What did he mean by his declaration that “Mature love is capable of living with uncertainties, doubt and mystery without impatiently grasping for reasons and facts”? Keats referred to love that’s stable and capable of tolerating not being in complete control when life is not totally predictable and where answers to life’s questions are not available.

Life can be enjoyable when confidence and patience are conjoined with a sense of excitement for doing what God directs. Jesus encouraged his disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit before presenting the Good News of the Gospel to their world. When the Holy Spirit came, they were changed and their purpose became apparent. 

Challenges that Come with Change - Part 2

Predictability is desirable for life to feel secure. Predictability equates to constancy, which encourages hope for an ever-changing world. While constancy and change seem to be polar-opposites, human beings need variation and change to stave off boredom. Most individuals develop a healthy tolerance for constancy and change.

We flourish where constancy exists because mastery of life’s tasks requires it. Still there must be flexibility for change and adjustment. When Jesus sent his disciples out to preach the Good News of his coming, their message was to be constant, but their response was to be flexible, depending on how the message was received.

Change should be anticipated, but the uncertainty associated with change can create anxiety. Imagine going out to preach, teach, and heal others, without knowing how you will be received. You will be anxious and afraid, but equipped with the Holy Spirit, you will have power to enjoy God’s purpose for your life. May God bless you.  

Challenges that Come with Change - Part 1

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.  

Change Is Coming...Embrace It! - Part 3

The German philosopher Immanuel Kant famously stated, “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” Kant believed that while society, politics and mankind desire change, reality consistently finds it very difficult to shape permanent change. It takes vigilance to stay focused on what is good and godly while resisting what is bad and evil.

Several countries have weapons capable of obliterating human beings. Terrorists seek to wreak havoc on those considered to be their enemy. The goals of the church, education, medicine and the penal system is to change society, improve the character of people and make the planet a better, safer place to live.

Character flaws can be transformed by truly renewing your mind, which means to change how you think, what you believe and how you choose to behave. Jesus said, “I have come to save the world not condemn it.” The fact that Christ Jesus lives within you confirms that you can go forward in faith to possess what God has prepared for you.  

Change Is Coming...Embrace It! - Part 2

Architecture and fashion are subject to change. Occasionally a person like Frank Lloyd Wright comes along and ushers in a revolution in architecture that others will follow and imitate. Jesus was an architect of change, bringing transformation that never ends within the heart, mind and soul of committed Christians.

I recently talked with someone involved in a relationship perceived as confining, like an emotional prison. Feelings of powerlessness, fear and depression in addition to anxiety made the future look bleak and hopeless. Sharing the truth of the situation and setting goals for change created an attitude of hopefulness and assurance.

Commitment to change is essential but must center around God’s specific purpose, which becomes apparent as his guidance and direction are clearly understood. Jesus told his disciples in John 15:16, “You did not choose me, but I chose you.” Realizing Jesus chose you is a confidence builder that change is forthcoming and good.  

Change Is Coming...Embrace It! - Part 1

That pollution creates health problems is undeniable. While many world nations take steps to clean up the environment, others continue with disregard to pollute it. In same way, we pollute our mind and body with unhealthy habits, thinking patterns and relationships that transform us into something undesirable and out of compliance with God’s plan for us.

By our own choices combined with undesirable attitudes, we can be transformed into something unacceptable to God. For instance, permitting an attitude of anger to possess us can evolve into developing bitterness, hatred, major depression and unacceptable behaviors. Anger should not have control over our lives.

The desire for change and peace must come from within by the work of the Holy Spirit, whom we invited into our heart and soul. Peace can be achieved by being committed to this promise from Jesus: “Blessed are those who strive for peace because God calls them his children.” With empowerment from God himself, all things are possible.  

Like It or Not, Change Will Come - Part 3

What does it take to make significant personal, social or financial changes? Our economy basically runs on credit and a philosophical perspective that says, enjoy it now and pay later. What does it take to make significant changes concerning what you think you need, what you must have, and how to fit in socially to secure your happiness?

Trying to make changes can be discouraging because real change doesn’t come easily. Change must begin at a deeper level within the heart and mind and then move outwardly. God made it possible to realize change is needed when relationships deteriorate due to unresolved conflicts trying to co-exist with anger and sadness.

Significant change becomes possible as we sacrifice pride and fear to be honest with God, significant others and ourselves. Restoring love and affection is the primary objective along with conflict resolution. The First Epistle of John commands us to love one another, which is possible when love for God is our primary objective.