Change~

“A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps” (Proverbs 16:9).  Change is inevitable.  As written in God’s word, we plan our way, but He directs our steps.  There are times when he pulls on the reins and says “whoa girl, not so fast”.  I’m so thankful for His leading and guidance in this life.  

How is your life?  Are you right where you want to be?  Do you wish that you didn’t behave and respond in certain ways?  It has been said to me that “I can’t change”, “I don’t want to change”, “I shouldn’t have to change”, and “don’t ask me to change”.  Thankfully, God is the only One that never changes.  “For I am the LORD, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob” (Micah 3:6).  “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).  “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17).  

We should always strive for change.  We are commanded in God’s word to change.  We cannot run a race and not change, we must always be moving forward.  Sure sometimes we fall, but we must pick ourselves up, get back on the track, and run.  “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3: 13-15).  There is action, and purpose in what we are doing.  By ditching the negative, and the things in our lives that cause us to trip up, we can focus on the goal.  “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,  looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12: 1-2).  We are to run this race that we are in with endurance, to win a prize, the ultimate prize… eternity with Him!  

I do not want to be who I was yesterday.  Tomorrow, I hope to be different than today.  I am always learning (from my mistakes) that I do not have it all together, and striving to be more like Christ.  Thankfully the Lord is merciful and forgiving, and also desires for me to be like Himself, and wouldn’t have hung on the cross if I was able to ever have it all together.  Another word for change is transform.  It is not just in outward form, God desires for us to transform by the renewing of our minds.  “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2).  

Every day I want to be a better child of God, a better mother, a better girlfriend, a better daughter, a better friend, a better employee, a better stranger, a better… Yes, different than today, I’m striving for perfection because He is perfect… and knowing that perfection will only come the day when I arrive on eternity’s shore.  His desire is for me to be holy, set apart, different, I can be, only by changing.  

“Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance;  but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,  because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1: 13-16).  

 “Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.  And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma” (Ephesians 5:1).