A New View on Change

John 10:718
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Take out a blank sheet of paper and divide it in two. At the top, right CHANGE, and in the two columns, right GOOD and BAD. What kind of changes would be considered good? Let's say you get offered a better job with a higher pay. Is that good or bad? Or you move from a rough neighbourhood to a wealthy one. What if your mom takes away your cars and says you have to walk to school for a month in the winter? Or your girlfriend or boyfriend breaks up with you? Would these be considered good or bad changes to you?


Looking down your list, you'll notice that things on the BAD side are only considered bad because it's change that involves loss; this loss can be physical (the car), emotional (breaking up) or psychologically (the mental pain of walking to school for a month in the cold!). The things on the GOOD side are changes that involve no loss, but a gain; this can be physical (more MOOLAHHH $$), emotional (new neighbourhood is safe for your kids and you become overwhelmed by happiness), or psychologically (your new workplace stimulates your brain and helps you develop as a person). But not all "BAD" changes are bad.


"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." [John 10:11]


The thing is, change is inevitable and necessary. If you think about it, if we're standing still, we're not growing; neither moving forward or backwards. Sometimes you may think that you're going through the worse changes ever. 


Thinking about it, Jesus went through even "worse" changes in worldly definition. He lost an entire kingdom and life of luxury when he came down as a human. He went from being a leader of many to abandoned by all, even being shunned by his disciples! He was crucified and and ultimately, hated and beaten. Imagine going from the King of Kings to being beaten by the people you came to save! 


"I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture." [John 10:9]


The Good Shepherd became the Passover Lamb; change may not always be pleasant, but God is leading us to a better place. Although the crucifixion was the cruelest way to die, we eventually gain a life with God. Rejoice always that we have a Shepherd like Jesus!

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Faith in Christ will keep us steady in the stormy sea of change.