Some changes are good. Others are not so great, but I’m choosing to focus on the good change can bring. Leaves change. Temperatures change. Daytime hours are overtaken by nighttime hours. Circumstances change at home and at work. As I write this on a Sunday afternoon, lives are changed through the work and power of the Holy Spirit every week. If you are facing a change in life, take a look at the good that change can bring.
Eternal change can be good. When a person repents of sin, the transformation Jesus creates in one’s heart is miraculous. Their eternal destination is changed when this happens. This change is so incredible that the scriptures tell us the angels in heaven rejoice when it happens.
Holiness is a good change. As we are made into disciples of Jesus Christ, our hearts, minds, attitudes, perspectives, viewpoints, motives, and priorities change. We become more like Christ. New life comes into our lives. The presence of the Holy Spirit continually molds us into the image of God. We recover who and what we were created for in the first place. All of these changes are not only good, but also divinely holy.
Discovering meaning and purpose is a good change. It takes a few experiences in life to figure out what we were made for. Every person has spiritual gifts. Some non-believers actually make their daily living through the use of gifts God gave them. Every child of God has been wired a certain way and we are to use the God-given gifts and graces he has shared with us to honor him and build up the church, not merely make a living. When meaning and purpose are discovered, the changes it takes to arrive at these are well worth it. May God help each of us to honor him with our lives and therefore find out what we were uniquely made for from the beginning of time.
There are enough changes in our lives that seemingly shake us to the core. The challenge is to remain open to find God’s good purposes in the middle of all of life’s circumstances. Beyond basing your existence of personal feelings and perspectives, be assured of the faithfulness of God’s sovereignty despite whatever this earthly life delivers to your doorstep. Join me in singing daily:
Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand besides!
“Great is Thy Faithfulness!” “Great is Thy Faithfulness!”
Morning by morning, new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided –
“Great is Thy Faithfulness,” Lord, unto me!
– Thomas O. Chisholm, 1923
Jim Dunn is executive director of Church Multiplication and Discipleship for The Wesleyan Church.
