BRAD POWELL ONLINE

Okay, so today’s my birthday. And, of course, the people who love me most have been hammering me about how old I’m getting. But, here’s the weird deal. It honestly doesn’t bother me…yet. (I have to be honest enough to admit that some day it might.) So, I’ve been thinking about why it doesn’t bother me while it does seem to bother others so much. Here are a couple of my thoughts.

Change is an unavoidable reality in life. Yet, it really messes most people up. It creates uncertainty, fear, anxiety, unhappiness, grief, etc.  The reason is simple. People generally find their security, identity, comfort, peace, and joy in circumstances that are stable and to their liking. So, when their circumstances change, they lose their entire footing in life.

Change eliminates the illusion that people are in control of their lives. This is why so many work and fight so hard to avoid any change. It moves them way out of their comfort zone. So, they do whatever they can to maintain a sense of control and the temporary rewards that come with it.

However, for those of us who are believers, change shouldn’t be so traumatic. None of these typical consequences of change have any basis in our lives. Don’t get me wrong. Change can be difficult for and hurt us as well. It can leave us with the profound sadness that comes with the loss of a job or, even worse, a loved one. It can significantly disrupt our lives. And, it can create great uncertainty. But, for the genuine believer, this shouldn’t leave us reeling for a couple of reasons.

First: Those of us who genuinely believe in God and His truth already know that life is uncertain and beyond our control. As James 13-15 says, “Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” When things change, it shouldn’t surprise us.

Second: Genuine believers don’t find their ultimate security, identity, comfort, peace, joy, or hope in their circumstances but in God.  Though everything in this world is only temporary and guaranteed to change, God never changes. Though nothing in this life, including life itself, is in our control, God is in control of everything.  So, when our faith and focus are on Him, it doesn’t matter whether our circumstances are constant or changing. Our lives are ultimately certain and secure because they are in His hands both now and for eternity.

It’s true that there is a lot of change that is negative in our lives. Sadly, many are presently experiencing this reality as the result of the economic crises. They’re losing their jobs, retirement savings, and, in some cases, even their homes. This is also true when we lose people we love or discover that we’re facing our own physical mortality due to a terminal illness…or a birthday. These are changes that can be devastating to us. However, as believers, even in the face of these kinds of devastating changes, we don’t have to grieve like those with no hope, (1 Thess. 4:13). After all, we know that, in a world out of control, God is in control. We know that He has promised that He can grow good out of every change we encounter…even the most devastating, (Rom. 8:28). And, we know that the suffering of this present time is not worth comparing to glory that God has prepared for us in heaven, (Rom. 8:18).

It is also true that there are a lot of changes in our lives that are instantly positive. Looking back on my life, examples abound. Meeting my wife Roxann. The day each of my kids were born. My call to become the pastor of NorthRidge. Seriously, each of these events brought significant change into my life, but it was profoundly positive change. Of course, there have been struggles, difficulties, and sacrifices in each of these relationships as well. But, those pale in contrast to the joy, meaning, and pleasure that they bring.

In fact, as I look back over my life, family, and ministry, the changes that I have faced, whether initially positive or negative, have most shaped my life. I wouldn’t be the man I am today or have any of the things that I value most apart from change.

So, here’s the bottom line. As believers, we should not fear or fight change as if it’s our enemy. On the contrary, our only fear should be losing God’s pleasure and our great fight should be to keep our faith and focus solidly on Him.

Sadly, many believers (and churches) fail in this regard. They fear changing circumstances in their lives and churches more than they fear failing to live lives that please God. They fight change in their lives and churches more than they fight losing their passionate desire to know, trust, and live for Him. This is why so many believers and churches aren’t experiencing the fullness of God’s presence, promises, and power in their lives today.  They are too busy seeking to preserve the life and church that they loved yesterday to pursue God’s best in the very new world of today.

My prayer is that this won’t be true of my family, church, or me. It’s my prayer it won’t be true of you. After all, no matter how fiercely we fight change, we’ll lose. In fact, the minute we start fighting change rather than fully trusting God, we lose. Let’s make the decision to experience the victory of being people of faith today rather than to experience the certain loss of seeking to fight the unavoidable change of tomorrow. Let’s fully trust God as we live life to its fullest in a world that is always changing. 1 John 5:4-5 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”

I’d love to hear your thoughts…whether it’s your birthday or not.