I embrace change. I accept change.
I encourage change. I question change for change’s sake.
I experienced an example of change as Dawn and I traveled the backroads of Wyoming and Montana last December. The old adage that “every town – no matter how small – has a bar,” seems to have changed to “every town – no matter how small – has a psychologist’s office.” (Ok. I didn’t see one in Bill, Wyoming, population- 4!)
The ancients [like me J] believed that there was a transcendent moral order outside of the self, built into the fabric of the universe. If you violated that order, there were consequences just as severe as if you violated the physical reality by placing your hand in a fire. The path of wisdom was to learn to live in conformity with this moral order. That wisdom came largely from the development of character qualities like humility, compassion, courage, forgiveness, purity, and faithfulness.
Things have changed. The ancients looked at an anxious person and prescribed spiritual character change. Today, the anxious person is encouraged to learn about stress management techniques by visiting a website, reading a self-help book, or spending endless hours with a counselor! (adapted from Reason for God by T. Keller, p. 73)
Noting these changes, author Dallas Willard writes,
“Amid a flood of techniques for self-fulfillment, there is an epidemic of depression, suicide, personal emptiness, and escapism … all combined with the inability to sustain deep and enduring personal relationships. So obviously, the problem is a spiritual one. And so must be the cure.” (The Spirit of Disciplines: Understanding How God Changes Lives)
2 Timothy 3.16 gives us great counsel about change:
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true
and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives.
It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.
May the winds of change continue to blow in your life as you learn to grow spiritually and “do what is right” in Him.
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