David Willis speaks today about changes in our lives, and how we can face those.
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God….For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.
(1 Corinthians 10:31, 33b)
Few words in the English language seem to elicit as much fear as does the word, “change”. With the exception of our clothes, or perhaps the television channel, there is little we humans wish to change. We find a certain comfort in the “norm”, and will often times go to great lengths to ensure that any upheaval in our lives, no matter how minuscule, is brought back in line with our routine as soon as possible. Change, when it is thrust upon us, can indeed be a frightening experience.
But, there are times when we desire change. Maybe we catch a glimpse of our expanding waistline in the bathroom mirror, or get a terrible report from our healthcare provider regarding issues that concern unhealthy habits. Sometimes we just get tired of the way our lives are progressing, and so we begin to seek a change.
I find it interesting that these changes, these changes that we seek out, are so often the changes that are the most difficult to achieve. Why? They are usually changes for the better, like losing weight, becoming debt free, or quitting habits that can lead to an early departure from this life. If these changes are beneficial to ourselves, and often to others, why then are they so hard to accomplish? I’m not certain, but I believe that the answer lies in our fallen nature.
I’m reminded of the story of, Bubba, a man from the back mountains of Tennessee. It seems that he found himself one day in a large city, standing, for the first time, outside an elevator. He watched as an old, haggard woman hobbled on, and the doors closed. A few minutes later the doors opened and a young, attractive woman marched smartly off. Instantly Bubba hollered to his youngest son, “Billy, go get your momma right now!”
Like the man in our story, I fear that the reason some of our attempts to change fail, (no matter how healthy…or unhealthy as in Bubba’s case), is that our motivation is askew. Sometimes, when we seek to change we have our own best interest at heart. We want to lose weight so that we can be more attractive to the opposite sex. We want to be debt free so that we can have more money to spend on ourselves.
Scripture teaches that whatever we do, “…do it all for the glory of God.” I humbly invite you to consider the last thing you tried to change in your life, or maybe even something you are currently in the midst of changing. I’m not asking you to ruminate on whether you succeeded or failed. Rather, I would like you to give sincere thought to the reason you wanted to change, and whether or not you sought God’s guidance in helping you make the change.
As you do this, remember that we serve a Creator Who wants to be involved in your life. Our God desires an intimate relationship with you, and wants you to share with Him even your most difficult struggles. Make our living God’s glory your motive for change, and you will be amazed at the walls He will cause to crumble before you.
In Christ,
David