Challenged to Change and Changed to Challenge

We will soon be experiencing another change of seasons.  At the same time, many of us are experiencing changes in other phases of our lives.  Some are experiencing change in their careers.  Others are experiencing changes in their families as they look forward to an addition while others have lost a member of their family.

Change is happening all around us.  Change is also happening to us.  Every day brings some new change in our appearance and person.  Some lose a few more hairs while others find a few new gray ones.  Some find a new wrinkle added to their faces while others notice a few pounds added to their bodies.

Change is not easy for many people to deal with.  Change disrupts our comfort zone.  Change challenges our patience.  Change often forces its way upon us without our consent, making us nervous and fearful.

Change is, though, the key to the life that God asks of us.  No one is what God expects by his own natural goodness.  God calls us to change in order to be like Him.  It is a radical change that makes an entirely new person out of the old one.

Challenges often lead to change.  That is sensible because, if no one ever challenges us in our current condition, there is no incentive to make any change.  It is the disruption to our satisfaction that makes us reach down inside and think about ways that we might need to change.

If the change proves to be valid and valuable, we arrive at a new place.  It is a place that now we are able and willing to defend the change that we have made suggesting that others need to learn from us.  Challenges change us and once we have changed we now are able to challenge others who are yet to make needed changes.

Peter wrote, “But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed…” (I Peter 3:14).  Peter’s audience were being persecuted because of their stand for truth.  He explained to them that the challenges they were facing were leading to changes in their commitment level and their stability as Christians.  They were blessed.

He, then, continued writing, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you with meekness and fear…” (I Peter 3:15).  He told them that since their challenges had lead to a change, blessing their spiritual life, they were now ready to challenge others who challenge them.  That is the life of a Christian in a nutshell—challenged to change then changed to challenge.

-Mike Johnson