"Life Changes"

 

“Life Changes”

 

During my pastoring years I received a call from a 30-something dad in our church asking to meet with me asap. Later that day we sat in my car in a parking lot and he told me his wife had moved out with their three kids. He was devastated and said, “I’ll do anything to get my family back!” Once I better understood some of the issues involved I made some suggestions to address the circumstances. (I learned early on never to tell people what they “should” do for two reasons: I rarely knew the whole story and didn’t want to be blamed if things went south.) But each one was met with resistance. I finally told him he’d lose his family if he wasn’t willing to change (he was a controller). Sadly he and his wife later divorced, likely due to his inflexibility.

Another man asked me to lunch to discuss his financial situation. He had a one-man business (an Uber-type car service) which wasn’t making it. I asked him to consider going to work for a limo service or cab company (we were near a moderately busy airport so the opportunities were present) but he was adamant about being his own boss. I’ve lost track of him but he was unwilling to change his ways for as long as I was in contact with him and his struggles continued.

As we read through Scripture we find a number of people whom God called to significant life changes. He told Abraham, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to a land I will show you.” (Genesis 12:1). At age 75 he followed God’s summons. Moses was tending sheep at 80 years young when God said, “I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” (Exodus 3:10). After offering five excuses he finally obeyed. Jesus asked four fishermen and a tax collector to “Follow me.” (Matthew 4:19; 9:9) and they did so without delay. And persecutor-turned-preacher Saul of Tarsus heard Jesus’ voice saying, “…Go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” (Acts 9:6) and off he went. And the Lord called kings, prophets and other “lesser” servants to change from what they were doing to something much better in His sight. And only eternity knows their impact.

You and I have been called to lives of godly service. After presenting the truth of salvation in Romans 1-11 Paul calls on his readers to respond as living sacrifices and adds, “When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?...let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” (Romans 12:1-2, NLT). Sure, change is tough—but in the Holy Spirit’s power it can be done. And it’s certainly worth it!

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan