I have lived long enough to know without a doubt, for certain and for sure, that life changes. If life is too challenging at the moment, or could be that your life today is too boring, just wait a bit. That’s okay sometimes, especially when you are in the midst of a difficult time. But when life is good, it has the audacity to change anyway!

My mind has been on this subject of change for a while now. I suppose many factors have influenced it. There is the changing of the body as it ages. Most recently I have been in contact with my high school buddies, due to the influence of Facebook, and the realization of a 30-year reunion fast approaching. These guys have really changed! Is it that obvious on me too? We are in a season of quick changes, one we watch with some anticipation as the leaves of trees turn, die and fall to the ground. The changing of the hot temperatures to the cooler and the tilting of the earth that causes that change. Creation changes are unending! We just changed the time on our clocks and we are in the beginnings of change in the church’s liturgical calendar. Some of us may be experiencing changes in family situations, jobs, the economy, and the list continues. And at this very moment (of the time of writing), the news of the horrific killings at Ft.Hood, painfully remind us of how quickly life does and will continue to change.

Often times we will hear someone say, “Why can’t things just be different, “or “Why do things always have to change.” Changes can be so unsettling, sometimes causing fear or uncertainties. And in other times we welcome change with jubilation! Life cannot happen without change. It is inevitable.

So the question is not “why changes”, but how to; how to accept, how to handle, how to “weather gracefully”, how NOT to fear them, but instead embrace them.

“Change has a considerable psychological impact on the human mind. To the fearful it is threatening because it means that things may get worse. To the hopeful it is encouraging because things may get better. To the confident it is inspiring because the challenge exists to make things better.” by King Whitney Jr.

Where do you fit? Are you fearful, hopeful, confident? When you choose to tackle life on your own, that is without having developed and matured your faith in God, then changes will always be unsettling. But when God is the foundation in your life, nothing need be feared. You can approach life with confidence because God has assured you of this. (ref. Romans 8:14-17)

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”
Matthew 7:24-27

May you have a full life of changes to embrace!

God loves you immensely!
Tracie

posted February 8, 2007

Rick and I teach a Disciple class on Wednesday evenings. Disciple Bible Study is a series of studies with the intent of making disciples. It is direct in its individual challenge to “take up your cross and follow me” It is changing lives, renewing the individual as well as the church as a whole. I firmly believe that if a person takes the study seriously, and it is taught appropriately, change will occur in the persons life. One cannot study the Word with a willing heart and not change; it is that powerful. The statistics of this particular study are amazing. Rick and I were students for several years before we became leaders of Disciple Bible Study. We have not missed a single year and God willing, we will continue to offer this course as long as He will allow us. I am a huge proponent of this particular study. It is one of two ‘tools’ that helped to guide me toward a changed life. The other is Emmaus. I’ll talk about it in another writing.

One of the things that is so amazing about studying the Word of God, is no matter how many times I’ve read a particular scripture or book, i always find something new when reading again. The Word is, after all, active, living and revealing only that which we can handle in a particular time of our life. I mention this because I have read Mark numerous times but it was only last night that i realized the significance of the crowds.

The crowds were made up of people who were oppressed, the poor, the lost, the lonely, the ones who needed hope. These crowds of people were so needful of their savior that He could hardly get away to eat. He would try to “escape” on a boat, but without success. The crowds were anxious to hear the Word. They needed it, desired it.

Where are the crowds today? Where are the people anxious to hear the Word of God? Where are the people who are anxious for the Savior? Are we not needy enough to be anxious? Have we involved ourselves so much in other activities that we are numb to our real need? Do we have so many things that satisfy us that we don’t feel the need for a Savior?

I fear the direction this world is heading. It doesn’t leave one with a good feeling. So much division, so much emphasis put on the SELF. That is our downfall. I pray for something better, i pray for change of hearts and I pray for God to help me get beyond the SELF.

I have a meeting to prepare for!
TTYL…Tracie