When you mention the word change in any conversation these days you can almost guarantee eliciting a reaction of anxiety or frustration. How can any of us possibly adjust to any more CHANGE in our lives? In our work, relationships and even our leisure there seems to be an unending need to adjust and adapt. Once we learn a new skill to enable us to cope and live in the present modern world another " 20 something" genius comes along and creates another billion dollar social change we can't live without.
The 2010 Time magazine man of the year was the founder of the social media giant Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg. Mark at age 26 has changed the world and shaken the preexisting internet empires by creating a simple to use tool first developed for communicating with friends on his college campus. In just several years it has gone viral and now impacts over 800 million people daily. In 5 or 10 years, Facebook might be considered old school and perhaps no longer popular at all....unless it chooses to make change a friend.
In order to live successful and meaningful lives we have to choose to make change a friend. Change is inevitable, constant and unrelenting. History is going somewhere whether we like it or not! You and I are not the center of the universe! Once we realize this we can get over ourselves and adjust our expectations and move in synchronization with where life is meant to take us.
You were created by God. If you are at present an atheist or an agnostic, I apologize for my abruptness. Nevertheless, understanding that reality is a necessary precursor to understanding the direction, purpose and destination in life for all of us. When we understand where life is taking us, we are less apt to resist and reject the constant and seemingly overwhelming changes that assault our 'comfort zones'. Instead of lamenting over what was, we should be investing and building what will be! Faith and hope are spiritual and they enable the willing and cooperative soul to move forward into what will be, with the knowledge that ultimately good will come. Fear, hopelessness and resistance to change are signs of spiritual death and decay. No amount of energy, money or time will resurrect or restore what no longer exists.... and what God can no longer bless. If the past is dead and gone, why do so many people choose to live there?
People live in the past because they allow an experience, a person or an identity to dominate their reality. Since experiences, people and our personal identity are not static we become overwhelmed when 'time marches on'. Everyone knows about the culture of celebrity and fame that frames people based upon some high point in their life.... the sales man of the year for the product no longer sold.... the washed up former boxer taking too many hits to the head...... the obscure T.V. star doing late night commercials to pull in needed cash. We stop growing and maturing and changing and hoping that we can continue to ride the proverbial 'dead horse' into the future. However, no amount of whining, wailing or wishing will bring back the past glory...it's gone forever.
When we truly believe in a good God, we will have the 'stuff' that enables us to make change our friend. When we resist the rapid pace of change, we resist the blessing and foresight of our loving God. God is not dead and he is ultimately and completely in charge of history. I find it deeply disappointing that some of the most resistant people to change on the planet are 'religious'. They hearken us back to yesterday....constantly. Yes, I know we can and must learn from our history and the heritage deposited in us. But......faith is a spiritual substance that takes us forward in relationship with God and with one another..... to a future and a hope prepared for us before the foundation of the world!
"Faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen. For by it our ancestors were approved. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so what is seen has been made from things that are not visible." (Hebrews 11: 1-3) Change is not an enemy, it's a friend calling you into the future....it's the voice of a loving God who is walking before you.....creating opportunities, favor, blessing, provision and relationships that will satisfy you beyond your wildest dreams. Today, join me and God.... and make change a friend.
Jim
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