Two Thoughts For The New Year.

 I.  Change is inevitable.  The world is in a constant state of flux.  There are only two things which never change in a fallen world: the nature of Abba, and the nature of evil.  Everything else around us— nature, technology, cultures, societies, art, music, film, language— changes.  Everything.  People, relationships, marriages, families, communities of faith, for good or for ill, for better or for worse, they will change.  Change is inevitable.

II. Change is possible.  Spiritual transformation, a renewal of the human heart molded and shaped by the Master’s hands is not only highly possible, it is highly probable.  It is the inevitable goal of God’s Spirit at work within us: the end result of walking in Light of Jesus’ Love and drawing deeply on divine strength to combat what we know we cannot!

Why is this point so important?  Because most people don’t believe change is even possible.  They resign themselves, with an almost fatalistic sense of resignation, to the fact that whatever this is will always be this way.  And if you don’t believe something is even possible, what are the chances you’re ever going to see it materialize?  Your world-view is going to be reinforced, probably by people who refuse to change because, like you, they don’t believe it’s possible.  Or they just don’t want to.  To believe that personal change is impossible, or that ‘people don’t really change,’ is to ignore the power of God working its wonders in life after life after life.  It ignores the fact that your God is greater than all your hurts, heartaches, and hang-ups!

So here it is.  This is going to be my mantra for 2015.  If you want a different outcome, embrace a different path!  Which is simply my way of saying, “Stop doing the same things over and over and over expecting a different result.”  Change is possible, it’s probable, even inevitable... but not by thinking the same thoughts, speaking the same lies, and doing the same deeds that got us in this mess to begin with.

Don’t like the people around you?  Stop hanging out with them.  It’s not a ‘shotgun friendship,’ is it?  This may not be something you want to grasp, or are even ready to, but it’s not a complicated concept.

Burdened with responsibilities which aren’t yours to bear?  Start saying, “No” ...graciously.  To maintain your focus on Jesus’ Commission and Commands, you’re going to have to learn how to say, “No.”  And mean it.

Hate your job?  Many post-moderns in America do.  Ask Abba for another one, a different one.  Then start looking for openings, start dropping resumes, and start dreaming of what it is you really want to do.  Most people of working age in the US have come to value security over happiness with regard to their vocation {“comes from the same root as ‘voice,’ denoting the hearing of a divine call,” a way to put your ‘gifts’ into practice for God’s glory!}.  The Bible, however, is a sixty-six book narrative of faith-filled risk takers— Hebrews 11:32-40.  In light of the Letter of Hebrews, specifically, the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11, show me where it tells the Sons and Daughters of the One True God to value security over liberty, security over joy in Jesus Christ, security over walking in step with the Spirit and sharing His Love with the broken.

HJC	Ric Webb  |  Shepherd Heart’s Journey Community 9621 Tall Timber Blvd. |  Little Rock, AR 72204 t +1.501.455.0296 | hjcommunity.org
Heart’s Journey – where the Word and the Spirit are one.