Accept change or not

To accept or not to accept change

By Jose Maldonado

​Let's be clear about this: most of the time, change is no fun! It is frequently quite an unsettling pull in our lives. We often resist it, telling ourselves that the disruption of our comfortable routines needs to be avoided. Yet, change is part of our existence whether we like it or not. Sometimes, it may even be a tool in the hands of God, giving us what we didn't even know we needed. Other times, God allows change to accomplish His greater purposes.

In the early days of Christianity, change was a driving force. Massive persecution forced Christ-followers to scatter, and in the process, they took the message of Christ to new places, “preaching the word.” Change became a conduit for spreading the gospel amid adversity. This is not what most strategists today would have come up with as a strategic plan for growth. 

Another example of change is the Bible's account of an abrupt and heart-wrenching change that took place for those who were following John the Baptizer. John's tragic death prompted Jesus to withdraw to a remote place. He needed time to process the grief caused by the pain and abuse that his cousin had suffered. However, in this season of solitude, something extraordinary began to happen.

A multitude of John's followers sought Jesus out, drawn by their own grief and longing for someone who could give them hope. Here, we see change in its rawest form—a shift from mourning to seeking relief and hope. Jesus responded by moving compassionately among them, healing their sick, and ministering to their needs.
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That sad story teaches us that change doesn't always arrive with cheers and applause. Sometimes, it enters our lives as an outrageously heavy burden. I have experienced that kind of pain. I know that feeling sadness, confusion, and loss in the face of change is extremely difficult, but it is okay to feel that way. We ought to take time to process it healthily, just as Jesus did when He retreated to mourn. And during these times, we remind ourselves that God is still at work.

We should look at change as a journey, and in our willingness to adapt and trust God's plan, we discover that there is beauty even in the midst of sadness. Some of the changes that come our way are easy to navigate, and other changes are almost unbearable. Regardless of the severity and significance of the change, we must seek God's guidance, ask for His compassion, and be open to the blessings that He may have in store.

Change is not the end; it's often the beginning of something new and wonderful.
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"When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities. And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick." (Matthew 14:13-14 NKJV)