Accepting Life Changes...

 By Fred Gillett, Crystal Cathedral Pastor

"An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, 'Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit'" -Matthew 1:21

Change often accompanies personal sacrifice. When Saul felt he was doing God's work by persecuting those who followed Jesus, he was met with a life-changing experience. He was honored by God by being chosen, and his name was changed to Paul. He loved God, but he had to sacrifice everything he had worked for all his life. He had to put his own feelings to the side to honor God in the ministry that God had planned for him.

Every person in the scriptures that God used greatly had first to accept major changes in their lives. If they honored God and did not resist His calling, they were then used mightily.

When I accepted Christ, if there had not been a change in my life, I would have accepted Him in name only. Fortunately, because He was beyond just a person who once lived, once He entered my life, my life changed forever. It was the sign that He was there.

Now I am able to accept change without much difficulty, seeking and accepting God's will with the best of my ability. However, I do have difficulty when I see some of God's people resisting positive change. If one cannot accept the change that is happening, then it's time to move on - it's that simple.

What if Joseph had not accepted the word of God? What if Mary had not accepted what had happened? We can go on and on with examples from the Bible of things we don't understand but have to accept on faith. Resisting change that God has ordained is futile; it only frustrates us.

When we carry the cross of Christ, we don't need to understand everything that has happened; we just wait to discover how we can be a part of it. Though sometimes, as Saul/Paul experienced, serving Christ has a cost, we always will discover that change is the very seed for something wonderful, something beyond what we can imagine if God is in control. It is the seed of eternity in our hearts and "great things He will do."

Prayer: Father, thank you for the changes you have made in my life. Thank you for planting the seed and spirit of acceptance in me that you are in control. I can let go knowing all things are in your strong and powerful hands. In Jesus' name, thank you. Amen.

Devotion: What change in your life is causing you to struggle or feel anxious? What can you do right now that will help you to "Let go, and let God"? -Hour of Power