Change
Let’s consider the word “CHANGE” for a minute and think of its history. There’s been so many common sentences and antidotes associated with the word over the years, you’d have to just been born not to have heard em …” The more things change, the more they stay the same.” “Change the way you see things, and the things you see will change.” “Change comes from within.” “You can’t change people, only yourself.” “Change the conversation.” “One small change can make the difference.” OK…you get the gist of what I’m talkin about…so why is it so hard for people to change ? I’ve heard,”This is just how I am; take it or leave it.” “I’m not changing my mind, so you might as well shut up about it.” And what I’m thinking inside, i best not say out loud, cause it ain’t gon’ be pretty. To “change”, is to alter, transform, to make or become different. A stone mason can take a huge rock and transform it into vessel for everyday use, such as a sink, a tub, tiles, a retaining wall, etc.. A sculptor can transform a hunk of granite or marble into an image of a man or woman, an animal or some other work of art. Unless the maker alters or transforms, the stone remains a stone. The Lord drove home this fact into my spirit a long time ago by guiding me to a particular Scripture : ( 2 Corinthians 5:17 )…I know it’s one of my greatest “life-verses”. It says, “ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation, old things have gone and new things have come.” You can try to “alter” this breathed-out Word of God, and suffer the consequences ( Revelation 22:18-19 ) … or, you ( we ) can take it for what it is, apply it to our lives, and be “transformed” by it for our good and God’s glory. It’s up to us. I used to be destructive. I’d chew on everything, bust stuff up, burn things, carve my name in every surface, chop stuff down to see it fall, shoot birds with my BB gun, throw trash out the window and refuse to stop some other, more serious habits … but i grew up…i started listening to what God had to say about my actions, and i changed. Parents can tell you to stop pickin your nose or bitin your fingernails…but when they’re not lookin, you’re gonna do it anyway. Teachers’ll tell you to stop talkin, focus on your test, stop passin notes…but when they’re not lookin, your still gonna do it. Disobedience, defiance, rejection, and unwillingness is things we’re born with. Nobody has to teach a baby that screaming gets you picked up and fed, “changed” or coddled. “Selfishness” sees nothing wrong with “taking care of number one”, taking the last piece of pie or chicken, even when somebody else hasn’t eaten, cutting to the front of the line instead of getting behind, talking over others or interrupting, running the red or blocking on-coming traffic instead of obeying the lights, demanding their way, even if the majority is leaning another, or refusing the commands of authority figures. Selfish people don’t care about what anybody else thinks or wants. Selfish people have an issue with most everything…and defiance and refusal to change will be their downfall. They won’t let go of the “pride” and surrender to God’s will and purpose. In a sense, they have made themselves, “god” , and everybody else can kiss their you-know-whats. A person that refuses to change, is actually tellin God, “ I don’t need you.” “I’m gonna do me, you do you.” And when their last breath is taken and they stand before Jesus, hoping to be let in to Paradise…they’ll hear instead, “See ya…wouldn’t wanna be ya !” ( Matthew 7:21-23 ) Before change can come, there must be “humility”. Unless we humble ourselves and surrender to God’s authority, we’ll always be stuck in our past…returning to old vomit and old ways ( Proverbs 26:11 )…committing the same ol crimes and bad habits. It doesn’t haveta be like that though ! God, the Master Craftsman…the Master Potter…the Creator, is ready and willing to change the most useless piece of garbage into a work of art…the hardest piece of stone into a beautiful piece of sculpture…ashes into beauty ( Isaiah 61:3 ) ! Even though “our” righteousness is like a filthy rag…God places “His” righteousness on us like a royal robe ( Isaiah 64:6, 61:10 ) ! For some, the transformation is instantaneous … for most, it’s gradual. I guess some of us are a little harder…not quite willing…or maybe even a little stubborn. But God is patient ( 2 Peter 3:9 ). He sees our potential over our pridefulness. He sees beauty where we see ugliness. He created us to serve, not to be served ( Matthew 20:28 ). To be able to change is actually a blessing…a privilege bestowed on us by God ( Ephesians 2:8-9 ) ! He makes this a possibility through Christ’s sacrifice. He did what we couldn’t do…not because he had to but because he wanted to ! He saw our hopelessness and provided the Way, Truth and Life…and no one gets to GOD except through a relationship with Jesus Christ ( John 14:6 ) ! This relationship is the start of godly change. He’s not gonna force you to accept it or even believe it… but it’s what’s gonna get you a place in His kingdom…your name in His Book…and the abundant life you’ve always imagined ! ( Matthew 5:19; Revelation 21:27; John 10:10 ) “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation. Old things are replaced with new things…old ways with new ways…sometimes, old friends must be replaced with new friends…but you WILL BE CHANGED.” ( 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Corinthians 15:33; 2 Corinthians 6:14-16 ) Which are you “feeding” the most … the spirit of the flesh, which brings chaos and death … or the Spirit that God places within you when you begin a relationship with Him through Christ ? It’s not hard to see. The evidence will speak for itself. Wave that white flag and let the transformation begin !!