With the past political season so filled with “change” language, one might find it wise to shy away from further usage of the concept.  If one did so, one might miss an opportunity to discuss the nature of change and its impact on the Christian life and especially on the life together of the Christian family.

Change comes to us in one of two general directions.  Either we enact change or change is enacted upon us.  In Ecclesiastes 3 we are reminded that “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven” (v. 1).  This in a way implies change.  If there is a season for particular things to take place, then there are season in which they do not take place.  Life is constant in its inconsistency.

When we enact change we believe that we have a measure of control over what is taking place.  Yet, we know that God as the Omnipotent Lord of the universe is in control of all aspects of life, including those things that we are “changing.”  This does not mean that we lack free will to act under the grace of God, just the the power we act upon is granted us by His grace.  We enact changes in our lives for good and for ill.  God grants a measure of freedom for both.  I say a measure, since our sinful natures (which we do not fully shed in this life) impact how freely we are able to act.  When we act out in was counter to God’s will, we are expressing our bondage to sin.  When we act out in line with the will of God, we are expressing our new freedom of service to Christ.

Change sounds so nice and simple when it comes in the form of a political campaign promise.  Yet, we know that just as we as individuals find it challenging to change ourselves it is far more challenging to change another.  As parents we hope to positively shape the lives of our children.  We endeavor to provide for them the best biblical example of Christian living that we can.  Yet, we all know that we remain sinner in need of our own forgiveness, and I hate to remind you but your kids know this (or they learn it quickly).  It is important that when we seek to make changes in our lives, especially changes that relate to our faith life, that we make these changes transparently before our children, that they may see that life is a process in which even parents struggle (again they see the struggle, you are just providing instructive time for them to gain additional wisdom from your own life experience and faith journey).

The other form of change is that change which is enacted upon us.  Those changes can leave us feeling powerless.  I am not one who enjoys feelings of powerlessness.  There is little I enjoy less than not being able to fix what I believe needs to be fixed.  Yet the reality is that much in life is beyond our control.  When change rocks our world in unexpected ways, we know that we have a God who is not surprised by the things that throw us for a loop.  There is no limit to the knowledge of God as there is for our own.  God not only knows all, but is able to guide us in our response to life’s challenges and tragedies.

Knowing the power of God is present in our lives is comforting, but it does not eliminate all concerns.  It does not mean that we are not called to respond to change with Christian character.  Tough times continue to shape us in our adult lives just as we see childhood adversities and challenges shape our children.  Just as we watch with care over our children as they problem solve and learn, our heavenly Father watches over us as we grow and mature.

Life is not a simple and easy journey.  In Lent we examine how rough things got for Jesus as He sought to free us from our bondage to sin.  Though this made life fantastically better for us, it did not eliminate all trial.  The promise of God is however that “surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt 28:20b).