Hope in change

Psalm 55:19 AMP

"God will hear and humble them,

Even He who sits enthroned from old - Selah.

Because in them there has been no change [of heart],

And they do not fear God [at all].

According to the Oxford language, change is defined as; "replacing (something) with something else, especially something of the same kind that is newer or better; substitute one thing for (another)."

I love the above definition of change as it views change positively. This is because change does not usually feel too good for example; when you have to change jobs, make a career move, re evaluate some relationships in your life or perhaps re evaluate our routines and character. I think most of us would agree that change is scary and the uncertain effects of the covid pandemic have rightfully magnified our sensitivity to change.

However, from a Biblical stand point, the inability to be open to change espcially as a believer in Christ has the ability to compromise God's best for our lives. As believers, it may be unwise to get 'too familiar' with God because as much as His character is consistent, His ways are dynamic and are not like our ways. Words like Jesus, I believe You maybe easier confessions to make though the real question is do I trust Him and does this reflect in your walk with Him? Do you trust God enough to lead you through a different season of your life as the Israelites whom He had to bring out of bondage in Egypt to the promised land in Canaan? Being open to change reflected in our willingness to transform our minds and character demonstrates our obedience to God and Jesus Christ as our Lord. I believe a person either fears change or fears God but cannot actively partake in both. So what then does embracing change look like?

1. An open mind to opportunities and stepping into them (by the Lord's prompting) with an open heart and a positive attitude. I emphasize the Lord's prompting in this sentence because a life in Jesus Christ is surrendered to His authority as seen in Galatians 2:20. Paul reminds us that "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."

2. Remembering that salvation is a journey. The decision to make Jesus Christ Lord and Saviour in our lives translates to a change from our previous old patterns to our new self (2 Corinthians 5:17). Romans 12:2 NLT puts it well, "Don't copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." With God's grace, we have confident hope that He who called us is faithful. Every part of our journeys may not look the same but its all interconnected to mould us into the best versions that will glorify God.

3. When we are in agreement with change, we are in agreement with God's plans and purposes for our lives because we are saying; Yes Jesus, I trust you as my Lord. Romans 8:28 reminds us that "all things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose".

4. We walk in the knowledge that God's presence surrounds us while we step into new beginnings and He shall deliver us from all our fears (Psalm 34:4).

I conclude with the Scripture in Isaiah 43:18-19 where God instructs us not to live in the past because He is doing a new thing. We can also trust that He is always giving us better than our expectations. As a result, let's practice obedience to God's Word in every season of our lives and His instruction to move forward. While at the same time, exercising caution that our comfort levels and previous routines before salvation do not categorically put God in a box as His divine ways are beyond our natural imagination.