• Sunday Life Groups at 9:00 am; Sunday Worship Service at 10:30 am

        Time and Change

        150 150 Journey Church

        The rolling over of the calendar from 2011 to 2012 forces us to face an inevitable reality of life, a reality that is often unwanted and sometimes harsh. Change.

        The personality of some people actually inclines them toward change. They like to try new things, drive a different way home just for the fun of it, keep up with the latest fashion, and stay on the edge of the learning curve. In fact, some folks who have this bent are “change agents”—influencers who guide their companies to the “next level” or who lead their volunteer groups in a whole new direction. These are people who dislike the status quo. They seem restless by nature.

        On the other end are personalities who not only dislike change, they may strenuously resist it. It’s as if you can see them holding on to their status quo with a white-knuckled grip. They find comfort in the predictable patterns of life. They are people for whom the word “rut” is not necessarily something to be avoided.

        But change comes to all, whether pursued and welcomed or hated and avoided. At the very least the passage of time brings the change of aging. No matter the exercise regimens pursued, the natural supplements religiously taken, the cosmetics and cosmetic procedures used, all of us are getting older. And with that inexorable progression of time comes unavoidable change.

        We all need help with change. The change-lovers need help making sure their eagerness for change does not become the imposing of their agenda upon others. The change-haters need help making sure they are not living in denial, fighting the inevitable. We all need to walk in godliness.

        As in all things, Jesus shows us the way. He is our help in change. Jesus not only experienced change, He underwent change to a greater magnitude than anyone ever will. The Son of God, existing from all eternity past in the glorious splendor of the Father, entered time and space, took on human flesh and human nature, and lowered Himself even to the point of death on a cross. No matter how long or deeply we ponder the Incarnation, we will never understand such great change.

        Jesus tells us what guided Him through this incredible change: “For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.” (John 6:38) In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus reiterated this guiding principle for His life: “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42) Jesus resolved to do the will of the Father.

        As we enter a new year and encounter the change it will inevitably bring, let us imitate our Lord Jesus and navigate change well. Let us resolutely commit ourselves to the will of the Father above all things.

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