Change is Dreadful?
Learning how to be willing to change
By Rev. Adam Fox
A few weeks ago, as I was driving to work, I turned on Mike and Mike to listen in my drive in - which is my normal tradition. I have been listening to the two Mikes for almost two decades. But on this morning, the show was different. They were breaking up.
Mike and Mike in the morning is a radio and TV show that is dualy broadcasted on ESPN. I have many fond memories of the show from its start in 2000. While it is a sports news show, it still provided many a classic moments from bracket challenges, singing Good Morning from Singing in the Rain, to Greeny's phobias. But it is over this December. They're parting ways.
As silly as it sounds, it bothered me. This show has been on, and a constant in my life for almost two decades. And no more.
Change sucks.
Is it wrong to want the same thing every day, to not be surprised by new things? For instance, for the majority of my time in Junior College, I had the same lunch. Cheese and mustard sandwich with a soda. Consistency without change.
While consistency is to be admired, change is not always a bad thing. Especially if its a cheese and mustard sandwich. But some people fear and hate change. And that is not healthy.
Having a hatred of change is unhealthy, and it means that you will not adapt to the situation or with the times.
Sticking your head in the sand and waiting for things to go away does not work. It means that we are intolerant of new ideas and trends and we do not grow. And that is a dangerous place to be in. Even the Bible encourages us to keep growing and learning, to keep developing our mind as well as our body.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1-2
We are called to grow - to transform our minds. That may mean - reading a new author, trying a new style of food, learning a new technology. Whatever it is, just do it.
But usually the first step is the hardest, and that is because fear is in the way.
Fear is something that keeps us stuck, keeps us from changing and growing as a person. Satan uses our fears and anxieties to stop us. Keep us in the prison of our own body and safe place.
Instead, when we hide behind the fear of change it keeps us in the same spot. Not growing as a person, as a Christian, in relationships, anything. And we use phrases like "we have never done it that way"
Joshua 1:9 tells us "9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
I am not going to lie to you, change is frightening. It is. But we will not be alone. God will be with us, just as he was with Joshua.
Joshua is a great example. God chose him to be the next leader of the nation of Israel after Moses' passing. And Joshua was to lead the people into the land of promise.
He had to take the place of one of Israel's coolest leaders in Moses. Capture all these fortified cities, leading a group of people that were whiners and complainers.
But he, as well as I, got great comfort when God tells to be of good courage and not to be be afraid of discouraged.
Change is all that, but with God on our side, it is do able.
Finally, Change is going to happen. We can try to ignore it and suffer the consequences or deal with it - fear and all.
With any decision, from the tiniest to the biggest. We need to pray over it. As Christians, we have access to the Thrown of God - lets use it. Lets wear a pattern into the carpet from our treed on to it getting to His thrown.
Prayer is important.
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
We need to be wiling and adaptable to change, but for me. Prayer is the vessel I use to make me want to change.
When I had wanted to propose to my then girlfriend Andrea, I prayed. I prayed a lot. Is this the right girl? Is this the right time? ... And God answered those Prayers, yes!
Be willing to change. Be open to new technologies. To new way to do things. To new fashions and new foods. To new translations of the Bible. Change is going to happen, it does not mean it is all bad. Let's learn to embrace it.
Even if it means need inga new radio show to listen to in the mornings.
Until next time my faithful.
Cheers and Excelsior!
Pastor Adam
