Devotional: The Pull for Change

The Pull for Change

Henry David Thoreau once said, "Things do not change; we change." Time has proven this statement to be true. As individuals and members of society, we have opportunity to evolve and improve although perceptions, mentalities, and even prejudices, continue to repeat themselves. Is God concerned with this? Not really.

God inspired Paul to tell the Corinthians: "Don't be wishing you were someplace else or with someone else. Where you are right now is God's place for you. Live and obey and love and believe right there. God, not your status, defines your life. Don't think I'm being harder on you than on the others. I give this same counsel in all the churches. Were you Jewish at the time God called you? Don't try to remove the evidence. Were you non-Jewish at the time of your call? Don't become a Jew. Being Jewish isn't the point. The really important thing is obeying God's call, following his commands.

Stay where you were when God called your name. Were you a slave? Slavery is no roadblock to obeying and believing. I don't mean you're stuck and can't leave. If you have a chance at freedom, go ahead and take it. I'm simply trying to point out that under your new Master you're going to experience a marvelous freedom you would never have dreamed of. On the other hand, if you were free when Christ called you, you'll experience a delightful 'enslavement to God' you would never have dreamed of.

All of you, slave and free both, were once held hostage in a sinful society. Then a huge sum was paid out for your ransom. So please don't, out of old habit, slip back into being or doing what everyone else tells you. Friends, stay where you were called to be. God is there. Hold the high ground with him at your side" (1 Corinthians 7:17-24, Message).

Things do not change; we change. If we're following the good commandments of God, relinquishing our old sinful nature, then change is good. But if we attempt to morph into the demands society, and even religion, place on us, we actually become something God never required. It's not that God wants us to remain in tough situations; He simply wants to show the freedom we have in Him no matter where we are in life. The keys are contentment and stewardship.

Contentment means you are at peace, despite other influences. The scriptures teach us, "Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure with trouble" (Proverbs 15:16). And the Apostle Paul often spoke of contentment, saying, "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content. [For] godliness with contentment is great gain. [So] let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you'" (Philippians 4:11, 1 Timothy 6:6, Hebrews 13:5). In other words, prove your salvation by living for God despite your situation - good or bad. His faithfulness will show up in your life.

But the flip-side to contentment and change is stewardship. "Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful" (1 Corinthians 4:1-2). Don't think these statements are for ministers only; all Christians are stewards of the revelation they have received for salvation. A steward is defined as someone who manages another's affairs; or one who administers anything as the agent of another. Christians are stewards of Christ. He has entrusted us with this life of faith, to carry out His Word by making disciples. He never intended for us to remain forlorn, destitute, or meager. As a good steward we can take the manifold grace of God and shine the light of the gospel in our surrounding darkness until it is forced to change or leave.

Remember Jesus once said, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one soul, and when he is won, you make him twice the son of hell as yourselves" (Matthew 23:15). He was referring to the demands and requirements imposed by man that God never intended to be placed on us. We are free in Christ. "You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men" (1 Corinthians 7:23). Instead, understand change will occur through our contentment and faith in Him as we respond to His call to stewardship.

A wise man once said: "Change has a considerable impact... To the fearful it is threatening because it means things may get worse. To the hopeful it is encouraging because things may get better. To the confident it is inspiring because the challenge exists to make things better." So may we all be content where we are, focused on where we're going, and stewards all the way.