Thursday, March 8, 2012

Change, again.

You're right, not a very impressive title.  Sometimes, change isn't impressive or comfortable.  I have discovered that as I age change becomes harder to accept.  When I travel, I've discovered that I'm most relaxed when I have done things in an orderly fashion.  Enter a changed or delayed flight, my stomach churns, my hands shake, and I find I just can't concentrate.  Last summer, I spent the night in the San Francisco airport because I was more comfortable trusting "what was" than taking a chance and switching flights.  You say, "Man, you're crazy!  You need some help."  Perhaps I do, at that.  However, before you go judging me, take a long look in the mirror.  How do you react to change?  What happens in your mind when things don't go the way you had planned?  Can you roll with the punches, sidestep, think clearly, and make the change necessary, still remaining sweet and kind?  If you are one of those people who can do that, my hat is off to you.  I used to think I enjoyed change.  Honestly?  I think my change cup is nearly full. wink

What should you do when confronted with inevitable and perhaps even uncomfortable change?  Take your script from Jesus, Himself.  There He is in the Garden.  He has just been anointed, shared a last meal with His most intimate friends, been betrayed, predicted Peter's denial, and now, He is in the Garden of Gethsemane praying while his followers' snores could be heard in the background.  HE knew the change that was coming.  Have you listened to His prayer?  "Father, everything is possible with you.  Please take this cup from me."  Please don't force this change.  It is painful, literally full of pain.  I don't want to go down this road.  Please!  But, then He went on to say (and mean) the extraordinary - "Nevertheless, not as I will, but your will be done."  (Mark 14:36)

How should we approach change?  In trust with God.  "Not as I will, but as You will."  Tough!  Hard?  Yes!  Impossible? "With God, nothing is impossible."  As you continue to live for God, know that He is shaping you, even through the external forces, into the tool He wants you to be.  Trust Him.