Ever Changing...

But they will not change; 

       they do not fear God. ~ Psalm 55:19b NCV

I really knew how to enjoy change when I was younger. Not only did I accept change ...but I often desired it. Now, however... it seems I have to not only work at my acceptance of change, but I also have to be deliberate in desiring it! 

Here’s what I mean...

When I was a young girl I enjoyed the change in my growing height as my dad would measure me against the doorway post with the mark of his pen. 

Now...the nurse at the doctor’s office measures the change of my lowering height on my health chart with the mark of her pen.

When I was young, I enjoyed the change in my age at each birthday celebration and the new privileges that came with each one. 

Now... each birthday seems to add another age required health exam of some sort. Instead of  fond privileges of youth...I’m now closer to entitlements for the aged!

As a school girl I enjoyed changing out my closet of clothes that no longer fit and replace them with something new and perhaps more stylish.           

Now...I stare at my closet full of stylish and new clothes and resent the change in my size that has me in need of buying something new that fits!

And... I enjoyed the changing seasons a lot more when I was younger.  Each one delighted and invited me to experience some wondrous activity that could only be enjoyed in it’s unique design. Whether the day was hot or the leaves had fallen or the snow was packed high or the blossoms were blooming I enjoyed each one. 

Now...The change in seasons I most enjoy are warm to hot. I’m resistant to any change in the climate that doesn’t involves these two elements alone. (Ok...maybe this one has been a resistance to change a lot longer than recently!).

In my younger adult years...I enjoyed being single and the career that had me flying to all sorts of different places...but then I loved the change that came into my life when I married. 

Now..I travel less often and the change from married to widowed...well...that is a change I resisted the hardest.

All of our experiences bring change. None of us can honestly say we are the same person we were as a child, or even as recent as a year ago. Our bodies are changing...and so too our minds and our hearts. Our habits change as do our personalities change from the experiences this life brings. Even relationships we cherish go through changes as well. With all this change going on around us and in us...we need to be aware that we do have a choice to make in how we accept these changes and also the direction our choice leads us towards...

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ..." ~ 2 Peter 3:18 NIV

Although I may briefly resisted a change in my circumstances or even a change in the way I am feeling...I am thankful that my desire to love God is greater than my desire to remain unchanged by Him!

 For it is true that our choosing to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” reflects our love for God... because those who love Him are changing every day! Don't be afraid to make some changes in your life that God is guiding you to make, and don't be afraid to let Christ change you from within. As we surrender (change) our will to God’s...we're being transformed into the image of Jesus. 

All of us are looking with unveiled faces at the glory of the Lord as if we were looking in a mirror. We are being transformed into that same image from one degree of glory to the next degree of glory. This comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." ~ 2 Corinthians 3:18 CEB

No matter what stage of life you are in right now...God doesn’t desire to leave you unchanged! Trust God in all the changes of this life. By faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior...”we are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to the next...”     

Now that’s a change I can really rejoice in!

 Kathy