When Change Isn't Easy

Life is full of changes, whether they be as small as taking a different way to work due to construction, or as big as a cross-country move. Some people relish change—they embrace the freshness, bask in the opportunity for something different, and frolic in the field of the unknown.

I, however, do not tend to be one of those people. When change is thrown my way, I’m much more likely to balk at it, perhaps mope about it, maybe even try to undo the change. In Luke 3, John the Baptist tells the crowd what to do when they come to be baptized. They are told to be generous, to not collect extra money, and to be content with their pay...perhaps drastic changes from the way they had been living. If I had been in the crowd, I don't think I would have liked what John was saying.

Yet change is exactly what God calls us to, and on Sunday, that’s what Pastor Dirk challenged us to as well. It’s Thursday now though, and maybe the change you felt God urging you to make is beginning to feel weighty. Maybe on Sunday it seemed pretty great, exciting, and promising…or maybe it seemed daunting even then, and as the week has gone on, the magnitude of the change has sunk in more fully.

I don’t think the point of change is for it to be easy though. If we truly desire to become more like Christ each day, it’s not going to be a painless process. For the crowd John spoke to, learning to be generous, putting an end to collecting loads of extra money, and trying to be content with their pay likely were not changes that occurred overnight, or even in a few days. Perhaps by now, you’re beginning to wonder what the point is of trying to change. Maybe the change feels too big, too overwhelming, more than you could ever possibly handle. If you’re feeling that way, it’s okay. You’re not alone.

First, you’re not alone because there are other people in the Encounter community who feel the same. The church is called the body of Christ because we are there to help and support each other in every area of life, and certainly when it comes to big life changes.  

Second, and most importantly, you are not alone because God does not leave you to your own devices. He doesn’t ask for change and then fail to provide the resources to actually make it possible. The Holy Spirit is alive and active, working in us to bring about the changes that will ultimately make us more like Christ. It may not always be a pleasant process, but we can be assured that the changes God has in mind for us are for our good. 

[Brianna DeWitt attends Encounter Church and lives, works, and writes in Grand Rapids, MI. Words are some of her favorite things, which is why her hobbies include reading, writing, and talking. She also shares on her personal blog at http://awritespot.wordpress.com/ and tweets @bwitt722.]