The Only Constant is Change
Real change is hard. Right now, in this country, we are going through several big changes. Things that used to be normal are now the ‘old normal’. And the ‘new normal’ requires a big change for a lot of us.
I am what is known as an introvert. I loved being home and indoors, so this was like mini heaven for me. I would be so relieved when I made plans and they got canceled. I would tell my wife, “I am so sad that I don’t have to go to that dinner I did not want to go to anyway.” It is great. My wife is the opposite. She loves get-togethers and going out to eat and all that jazz.
She is struggling right now. This is a big change for her. There was a time when if I put on this mask and walked into a bank, cops would be involved in less than 5 minutes. Now if I walk into a bank without a mask the cops might still be involved, but for a much different reason.
The Times Are Changing
Things have changed. And we are only talking about 2020. Just in the past week, we have had major changes to leadership in this country. So many changes. How do we as Christian navigate the changes while still remaining who Christ wants us to be?
Read: Learning How to Follow
The first step is to lean on God and remember he does not change (Malachi 3:6). He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. When anxiety starts to creep in and tell you to worry about that “thing”, we have the rock to stand on to hold us steady.
James Baldwin once said,
“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced. But you do not understand I was with this person for 25 years and now they are gone. I cannot face this alone. I do not know what to do. The first step to making change is to face it. There is no way to make an effectual change unless you face it head-on. I used to be a person who would just let it go and say ‘it will work itself out’”.
When really I was just hoping that someone else would take care of it for me.
Change is good if it is a “good change”
People have a funny word for when someone changes that they do not like. “Hypocrite”. Just because you did something wrong in the past does not mean you cannot advocate against it now. It does not make you a hypocrite. You just changed. Do not let people use your past to invalidate your current mindset. Hypocrisy is when you do something after you have condemned it. Growth and change are when you condemn something because you have learned from your mistakes.
Change is good if it is a “good change”. When I was in my early 20’s, I could eat whatever I wanted and not gain anything. Now I am 38 and if I look at a donut, I gain 3.7 pounds. I had to change my habits about how I eat and how I exercise. That is a “good change”.
Not being a gossip anymore is a “good change”, and dismissing information just because it goes against what you have been taught your whole life, but now being more open-minded and listening to both sides, is a “good change”. Change can be good, welcome it, and embrace it. Face it and tackle it head-on and you will come out on the other side a better person.
You might fail at first, or at second, or even a third time. Still do not give up. I have been fired from several jobs. I have messed up raising my kids, I have been unloving to my wife. But I will not continue down that path of not changing because that is not how God wants us to be.
You cannot be a baby Christian forever. You have to get off of that milk and get some real food sooner or later. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your paths. God will help you through that change. He will be there to help you face it. Then you will realize, change isn’t all that bad.
Prescott Williamson is a Bible-believing Christian. He is a husband, a father, and someone who believes that there is a little humor to be found in whatever situation God sends your way. He was born in the small islands of the Bahamas but now lives in the Suburbs of Fort Worth Texas, which is basically the same thing. He enjoys TV, reading, blogging and serving in his church (especially on the days they serve donuts). You can see what I have been thinking about lately on my blog www.prescottascoolbreeze.com.
