You can’t stop it. The calendar doesn’t take a break. Change has been spoken into existence. Days turn into months, months into years, years into decades. Within these pages of time, our story is written. Mingled amongst the unavoidable natural changes, cultural changes show to be just as impactful as time itself. Some of these changes are good and have positively impacted culture and we are eating of its fruit today! However, we are also faced with changes within culture that have posed great danger.
Today, we are facing changes on multiple fronts at the same time. Extreme political, social, and economic changes hang in the balances as wars wage between opposing views. Divided views are no longer reserved just to distant enemies. These opposing views now are impacting our families and churches. Whether we want to face it or not, great change is upon us. What we do in its midst is vitally important!
We as the church can’t afford to be a victim of change. The Lord has called and equipped us for such a time as this to be an agent of change. We must choose. Will I be a victim or agent? There are only TWO options.
Do you really want this?
No matter how logical positive change may seem you still must make the choice! Let me explain. Jesus met a man who had been crippled for years and asked him this question, “Do you truly long to be well?” (John 5:6 TPT)
This seems like a strange question. Before the Lord introduced the man to lifelong change, He wanted to know: do you really want this, or are you more comfortable with your life of begging and living off the charity of others? Are you ready to change? You may not be crippled or lame physically, but many have become spiritually lame for the simple fact of refusing to make the choice to change. Are you ready to change?
Victory is NOT measured in the moment, but in the movement!
“Jesus said to him, “Stand up! Pick up your sleeping mat and you will walk!””
John 5:8 TPT
The moment for change was presented by the Lord himself, but faith required movement! We must choose to move toward that which God has called us to! “Go therefore and make disciples!”
“I admit that I haven’t yet acquired the absolute fullness that I’m pursuing, but I run with passion into his abundance so that I may reach the purpose for which Christ Jesus laid hold of me to make me his own.”
Philippians 3:12 TPT
QUESTIONS:
- Discuss the difference between life-giving change and destructive change.
- Life giving change must take place within boundaries. Discuss those boundaries.
- Victory is measured in movement. What action steps do you need to take to be an agent of change rather than a victim of change?
