Change? Me? Never!

Change? Me? Never!

 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

Isaiah 43:19 NIV

How many mystery writers does it take to change a light bulb? Two. One to change the bulb and the other to give it an unexpected twist at the end! Change! Someone once said, “The only people who like change are babies with dirty diapers!” Benjamin Franklin famously said, “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Life feels that way, doesn’t it? Just when you think you’ve settled into some kind of rhythm, you get sideswiped by the unexpected. And sometimes even the changes we expect can throw us for a loop.

Lately I’ve been feeling that most things in and around my life are changing. This week Pamela and I moved my Mother from an assisted living facility to a community that specializes in caring for people with dementia. My grandsons, Gavin, Garrett and Landon, went back to school in a new school. Last week I became a great grandfather when my granddaughter Montgomery gave birth to a son, Hayden. At the age of 69 I soon have to apply for Social Security (When did I get this old?) Maybe, like me, you’re physically unable to do what you did when you were 30. Change! It’s for the birds.

What about you? How resistant are you to change? Psychologists claim that one of our strongest human forces is our resistance to change. Whether it’s a change at work, such as a new boss or a new process, or a personal change, such as a need to exercise to lose weight and improve health, there’s a natural tendency to resist change. Changes in life come in all shapes and sizes. Big, small, good, bad, routine, and unforeseen. There’s no way to live without change, and honestly, would you really want to? Sure, we all experience pain and loss we’d rather do without. But a static life wouldn’t be a well-lived life, would it?

With God’s help, we can change, even when it seems impossible. It may not happen all at once (although it might), but God has the power to change us, and He will if we put our lives in His hands. The Bible says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Maybe the primary reason few of us like change is because all change involves some level of loss, a leaving behind of something we’ve grown used to. Buying a new house usually means leaving an old one, along with all the associated memories. Taking a new job might mean leaving close colleagues behind. The marriage of a child is an act of letting go and trusting God for His continued provision and guidance in that child’s life.

Adapting to change is how we grow as human beings. It’s what makes life interesting. It’s how we learn to trust. The good news is that we don’t have to do it alone. My friend, God is with you through every life change—guiding, comforting, sustaining. Even when your life’s path is full of bumps and turns and the occasional pothole, you can count on Jesus to be your constant. Scripture reminds us that He “is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Heb. 13:8). What a relief!

Whatever changes are going on in your life, rest assured that God goes before you. He prepares your path—be it wilderness, mountain top, or pasture. He’s your shepherd, and He is GOOD. Will you trust Him? I hope you will!

Thank you for reading Pastor Dale’s Mid-Week Encouragement. It’s not copyrighted so feel free to share it with someone who needs encouragement today. And, if you’re a regular attender of the Mt. Laurel Church of God or regularly watch our Facebook live feed, consider reading Romans 12:9-21 to get ready to worship with us this coming Sunday, August 30 as Pastor Dale shares some good news from God’s Word for you.

Called to know the Way, go the Way, and show you the Way,

^{Pastor Dale}

Pastor Dale (PD) and Pamela his wife are honored to serve the Mt. Laurel Church of God. If this Mid-Week Encouragement has helped you, perhaps it may encourage someone else. Feel free to share this message with anyone you choose. And if you'd like to receive PD's Mid-Week Encouragement, just send an email to (kingdomguy@gmail.com) and I'll accommodate your request.