CHANGE is Not a Four letter Word

I like change, most of it anyway. I like ironing because I like change. It gives me a sense of gratification to see something go from wrinkled to smooth in a matter of minutes. There are so many things in this world we have no control over or option to affect change, but where we can…why not? I like living in different areas to experience life anew from the new location. I like trying new foods to add spice and variation to our menus. I try changing up routines to see if a different way might be more efficient or not. If you don’t try, you never know.

This is my philosophy about simple things, like my hair color. Need a lift, color your hair. You can always change it back. Rearrange the furniture in a room, or find a new hair-do. Painting a room can bring amazing changes into your world. When water flows - life is abundant, when water is still, it becomes stagnant and unable to support life. I’d rather be like the flowing water.

So far, I have addressed issues we deal with here on earth. Change is not limited to room color and diet. Change in our spiritual vision can make an impact of eternal proportions. Some people are not comfortable seeking out changes in their life, especially when it comes to speaking out against mainstream mentalities. As Christians, we are ‘commissioned’, not unlike officers in the military, to step out into the world to advance the Kingdom of God. A simple change in our perspective can change our vision from horizontal (that here on earth) to vertical (the eternal).

2 Corinthians 4:17, 18 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

As believers, we are all called to transform the little world around us. C.S. Lewis offered a thoughtful perspective on remaining heavenly minded while continuing to make an impact in this present world. In Mere Christianity, he said. “Hope…means…a continual looking forward to the eternal world…it does not mean that we are to leave the present world as it is. If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next…It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this. Aim at Heaven and you will get earth ‘thrown in’: aim at earth and you will get neither.”

Being heavenly minded is not natural. It happens when we focus and meditate on the reality and wonderful hope of the world to come. When we do, we can bring a taste of heaven to the little world around us. So let’s not become complacent — but stay focused there, so we can be effective here… and soon enough we will hear the Lord saying, “Well, done thou good and faithful servant!”

Isn’t that worth any effort or change you need make? Step out and shake up your world!