change – (v) to make or become different in some particular; to make radically different; to undergo transformation, transition, or substitution
There are seasons when life remains stagnant, perhaps steady or even, with virtually everything holding the same. Then there are seasons filled with change, where from day to day, even sometimes hour to hour or moment to moment, filled with ever-shifting, adjusting, varying dynamics. These seasons of change seem uneven or irregular at best. At the same time, at worst, they can be uncertain or even volatile. In my opinion, these more negative impressions of change are why, in our humanity, we tend to avoid change. Psychologically, we experience cognitive dissonance, a fancy way of saying conflicts arise between existing patterns, behaviors, & beliefs as change happens. I remember from my days as a counselor learning that people need to reach a level of discomfort in their current situation that is greater than the perceived level of discomfort change might bring. In other words, we psych ourselves out of changing because we believe it will be uncomfortable or impossible to navigate. This reflects intentional or chosen changes, which contrasts with the words of the Greek philosopher Heraclitus: the only constant in life is change. So often, change is thrust upon us without choice or plans for navigation.
In the Hebrew Bible, we find reflections on the seasons of life in Ecclesiastes 3 & how there is a season for everything under the sun. We read in the Psalms about trusting in God during times of change & the prophet Isaiah writes about the new thing God is doing, calling us to embrace the change that is unfolding even amid chaos or pain. In the New Testament, James calls us to seek wisdom, a call to change with intention. The writings of Paul call us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, which cannot happen if we don’t embrace change. Jesus’ words tell us we are to have abundant life, which can’t happen in stagnation but instead through change & growth. Jesus’ parables & teachings examine our conscious & unconscious beliefs & attitudes, calling us to reflect & change throughout our lives. Even still, our humanity finds it hard to embrace change.
Recently, I’ve been on a turbocharged rocket ship of change. Between family challenges & staffing adjustments, my days look very different than they did just a month ago. I think about what it all means for my personal well-being & professional integrity. More important than these factors, however, is what this amount of rapid, overlapping change means for my faith journey & my relationship with God. I have been thanking our Creator for the opportunity to grow, asking the Almighty to pour blessings on those who journey with me in these challenging times. I’ve been seeking counsel from mentors, friends, & family alike, sourcing wisdom from trusted sources even as I ask in prayer for clarity & understanding.
And I’ve realized how much more growth I am called to embrace. My humanity during these challenging times has roared to the front, showing me how I am still being transformed by sanctifying grace. All of this has been humbling as one who has just been ordained an Elder in full connection, a recognition that my gifts & graces align with the structural leadership of The United Methodist Church. It has been a month of realizing again & again the reality of going onward toward perfection because I am by no means perfected, let alone perfect by human standards. Because of my faith, though, I’ve tried to give myself grace amid these changes. I’ve pushed myself to embrace the nudging of the Holy Spirit to rest as I need rest & to move forward as required. It doesn’t make me enjoy the change, but it does help lower my resistance to the blessings I trust God has to wait for me on the other side of this season. I wonder how much more we as human beings would embrace change if we allowed ourselves more space to integrate the changes through balancing rest & movement rather than giving in to society telling us to put on the masks of perfection.
In Christ’s Love,
