February 6, 2006

  God What Do You Want To Change?

Our dilemma is that we hate change and love it at the same time;
what we really want is for things to remain the same but get better.
- Sydney J. Harris

This morning in my daily quiet time I ran across this quote. As I reflected on how true it is all I could do is marvel at how God will show you just the right thing at the right time. As I read it my immediate attention was drawn to my physical body. I thought about how much I want to see physical changes.  You know drop a couple of dress sizes. The quote says we desire change and we love and hate it at the same time. The change that I am anticipating comes with a cost. I will have to make some other changes in my life for it to come to fruition.

To lose the weight/change my physical appearance, I will need to change my level of activity, change my eating habits and change my attitude. Then I thought about the reality of the fact that there are other things I want to get better. We want to see changes in our relationships. Maybe we are struggling with a spouse or with our children. Maybe it is a struggle at school or at your job.  Maybe your struggle is with a fellow Christian. Always remember in Ephesians 6:10, the bible says, we struggle not against flesh and blood but against principalities and the war is real. It is not the person we are struggling against but the enemy of our futures.

In what area of your life are you in need of change? At New Beginnings we are committed to holistic ministry. We focus on the mind, body and spirit, physical, spiritual, relational and emotional fitness. Give yourself a check up in each of these areas to determine where God is trying to mold you, where He is trying to minister to you, where is He trying to change you? Is it the nasty attitude that keeps rearing it’s ugly head? Is it the way you talk to your loved ones or co-workers? Are your relationships raggedy? Is your thinking negative? Or maybe you are like me and you feel God’s hand moving in various areas of your life.

We want things to be different, but we don’t want anything to change to make that difference come about or at least no changes that we will have to make. You want your husband to love you more, but you refuse to even consider preparing him a home cooked meal or even to pick it up from Boston Market. You want him to desire you and want to be with you and you talk to him with no respect and you don’t care who hears you. You want your relationship with your parents to change, but you want to continue to be rebellious. In John 15:2 the bible says, “He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and He prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.”

Right now you may be doing a lot, I know I am, but how much more could I do if I submit my will to the changes God has for me physically, spiritually, emotionally and relationally? Give yourself a check up and ask God to show you what He wants to change? Be prepared for what He shows you and remember it could be painful some changes come with a price. The question is “How bad do you want it?”

Contact Angela@mynewtemple.org for further discussion or go to our message board.