Change

I have said, “I don’t like change.” I might as well have said, “I don’t like to breathe.” It amounts to the same. Change is happening as I write this. It will continue. You know it must; it is essential to life. In our bodies, our families, our contexture, our world, the Universe—change is immutable. I think resistance to change derives from our human proclivity toward comfort.

Usually, when I resist change it tends to be one over which I have little or no control. When I choose a change, I expect some, or much discomfort, uncertainty—at least some puzzlement; I accept the unknowing because I want, or hope for a desired result. While learning to ride a bicycle (a change from walking) I got cuts, scrapes, and bumps—just short of broken bones. But the freedom and speed I desired eclipsed my fears—and scars.

One of the memorable changes in my past was leaving the tiny rural Deepstep elementary school and mounting the bus for high school in town. There were more people in my freshman class than in the entire school I left. Hallways, changing classes, schedules, rules—all wrought knots in my stomach. That change was more formidable than my eventual move to college—though a change toward my life goals, it was a challenge nevertheless.

Change carries the unknown in its bosom. While change may not exactly mean choosing “The Lady or the Tiger,” yet some change can portend so. A new job, moving to a new location (far or near)—most change, chosen or forced means adjustment; adjustment in direction, comfort, and attitude (or the need thereof). Ponder that; can you think of anything that you would want always to remain the same? Ironically, some people seem to. Don Gorske, of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, has eaten a Big Mac everyday for over 50 years, according to Guinness World Records. However (and I don’t have irrefutable knowledge of this) he accepts other changes—as we all must (well, he did change from the original nine (9)-a-day to two-a-day).

Navigating change is often fraught with uncertainty, difficulty, and complexity. It is reassuring to know that God’s love and faithfulness are renewed every morning! We human beings may get weary or give up hope in the midst of assaults of uncertainty, or a difficult patch. But we are reassured that the steadfast love of God remains, well, steadfast!

The Apostle Paul gave final assurance of a final permanence (sounds redundant), and to that end, the uncertainty, pain, and loss migrate into hope. Very likely, just recently, in your place of worship, you heard words from the ancient prophet Isaiah Look! Look! I am doing a new thing! He was announcing that Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace are possible. In the thick of our doubts, fears, and missteps, we are not alone as we navigate this New Year! Hope is possible. Joy is possible. Love is possible. Peace is possible; and as the Apostle Paul spotlit “The greatest of these, is Love!.” (v13).

© Copyright Willis H. Moore 2022