Do you remember your first new car? Of course, we all do! My first car was a navy blue Dodge Neon; it
was my college graduation gift from my husband.
It was a precious gift to me, so I took very good care of it. It had a “moon roof” in it; I would love to
open it with my two oldest children in the car.
It was their favorite feature in the car; they loved to feel the wind on
their faces. When the “moon roof” was
opened, my children would beg for their favorite music tape to play from Veggie Tales, so
we could cruise around town. Of, course
we had our sunglasses on! Now mind you my two oldest were fourteen
months apart and less than the age of three when we had this car, so to keep
the car clean was a challenge to say the least.
Also, I purchase two matching car seats with navy blue from Eddie Bauer
for them, it just had to match. When I think
about those moments with Leah and Alex, it was truly precious times. Nevertheless, it was very short lived in our
navy blue Dodge Neon; it was very hard to get three babies in the car. Yes, you read this correctly, three children in car seats! When Caleb, our new baby, was coming home
from the hospital, it was a very snug fit. It was hilarious to watch my husband try to
get the whole family home from the hospital.
Obviously, it was time to “change” vehicles but I had a hard time with it,
I wasn’t ready for the mini-van.
Although it’s what our family needed, it wasn’t the “vision” of style I
had in mind. It was time to change.
As this New Year has
come, it’s easy to make New Year Resolutions or goals for what we desire to
achieve for this coming year.
Nevertheless, as we face the disappointments or realize we didn’t meet
all of last year’s goals, we can feel unsure of “change.” If we desire to change our life, we have to
change our ways. Change begins with a decision to move in a
different direction. Old ways will not open new doors! Yet, a heart fully
committed to God, resting in His Word, and a steadfast trust will see God open
doors no one else could open.
Change doesn’t always feel
comfortable, it’s not the “normal” way we do things. Sadly, so many churches don’t want to change
with the move of the Spirit, so they can lose sight of His leading. It’s very dangerous to desire “our ways” and not to follow the Word or the Spirit. Change
should be a normal way of live for a Spirit-filled believer. We are to walk as Jesus walked!
Acts 10:38 says, “how
God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how
Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil,
because God was with him.”
God anointed Jesus with
the Holy Spirit and with power for the purpose to bring healing and goodness to
others! Well, it’s the same promise for
those who follow Christ. When you study
to find out what the word Christ means it is “anointed one.” So, as followers of Christ we are able to
rest in the promise found in Acts 10:38
- We are anointed by the Spirit with power
- We are able to bring goodness and healing to those oppressed by the devil
- God is with us!
So, many times we are hesitant to help or approach someone
in need but we shouldn’t be afraid to help.
Change is a powerful testimony of what God did! Also, what God is willing to do for anyone comes!
As I started to reflect upon change or new, I couldn’t help
but remember this verse found in Romans 6:4, “We therefore were buried with Him
through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the
dead through the glory of the Father, we too many walk in newness of life.
So, how are you walking?
What’s going on in life that’s tripping you up? Or did you forget the power of God within
you? Sometimes we can get so heavy laden
with cares; we forget how precious we are to the Father. Maybe life has been difficult or you made
some wrong decisions along the way. What
I have learned grace offers a different way!
Change isn’t difficult as long as you have the support you need-God is
with you! God changes us for His glory so
we can reflect the Son!
What changes are you wrestling with? What would you love to change about
yourself? We can change our hair, our
appearance, some bad habits but we can’t change our heart. Only God can make this change! So, if you truly want a new life! Come to Jesus!
Ezekiel 36:25-27, “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will
cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols "Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.."I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My
statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.
Our lives will never change unless we are willing to
walk in a new direction! So, whatever
you want to change about your life: believe it can happen! God still does miracles and changes lives; it’s
what the cross is all about.
