In our world, change is inevitable. However, sometimes, we want things to change in our lives, things to be different but we don’t know how to make things happen. We have no clue even where to begin. So, we end up just being still, just thinking about what could be, what possibly could happen. We end up doing nothing and expecting something to change. But I have a secret, nothing changes if nothing changes.
Expecting something different to happen in your life while doing nothing differently is how I lived a lot of my life. I would dream of being a different person but never really put effort into changing. I wanted to be that person that loved going to the gym, but I never went to the gym. How can you love something you are never willing to do? I didn’t have the courage to actually make that change until earlier this year, and you know what, I now love going to the gym.
Our spiritual life can become in need of change too, yet we still can be scared to take that step to make the necessary changes. This Sunday we had a baptism, and it was a wonderful reminder of nothing changes if nothing changes. By the world’s standards the man that was baptized is past a time in his life at age 43 to truly change. But with the grace God gives his children, there is never a wrong time to change. Seeing something so beautiful as one making a spiritual commitment can spur your heart to continue to change for the better. The outward showing of faith and courage it takes to make the decision to be baptized into Christ is a beautiful example of positive change.
The Bible gives us countless examples of people who have made the hard decision to change their lives. The story of Nicodemus can be found in John 3:1-21. Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin. He wanted to know the truth and came to Jesus to learn more about Him. Nicodemus initially doubted that Jesus could be the Messiah, but eventually he made a change. Nicodemus put his faith in Christ and became one of His most loyal followers.
The story of Abraham is one of great changes. In Genesis 17, God tells Abraham that he will become the father of the Jewish nation. He tells Abraham to leave his homeland and travel to a land that God will give him. Without hesitation, Abraham makes a great change and walks with faith and God. Abraham’s story teaches us the importance of obedience and when we follow God, He will bless us.
It is never too late to change, never. In Luke 23:39-43, Jesus is being crucified and finds Himself hanging next to a criminal, a thief. At first, the thief mocked Jesus, just like the people in the crowd. But soon he realized that Jesus was different. He realized that Jesus truly was the Son of God. He asked Jesus to remember him when He came into His kingdom. Jesus immediately forgave him and told the thief that he would be with Him in paradise that day. The thief on the cross teaches us that it is NEVER too late to repent and receive forgiveness.
I have a lot of things in my life that I would like to change and in time, I hope to be as courageous as possible and be able to make the changes. I am a true work in progress. When I look back on my life, I am amazed at all the things the Lord has been gracious enough to hold my hand through and help me make changes.
This week’s recipe is a delicious, one pot dish that is perfect for those busy Fall evenings. It is a family favorite and sure to please even your pickiest eater. As always, feel free to make changes to make this recipe your own. I sure hope you love it as much as we do.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become righteousness of God.”
2 Corinthians 5:17-21
April 19, 2024
