Time for a Change

I was about to close my computer and walk away for the night. Actually, I was about to rearrange my desk space a bit. But that plan spurred a thought in my brain that made me turn right back to the computer screen.

I love it when that happens.

I love to find the perfect organizational scheme. The room layout that allows everything to have a place and remain tidy. The schedule that is consistent yet flexible. The pantry organization that displays staples conveniently while allowing space for incoming groceries.

Perfection.

It happens more often than you might think. Unfortunately, perfection is always temporary. Something changes, and the room layout no longer promotes tidiness. A new or increased time demand permanently disrupts the great schedule. A massive grocery stock-up trip requires new pantry organization.

The big problem comes when we neglect make a change in the organization. Perhaps we want to make the adjustment, but feel that we lack the time. More often than not, though, I think we are too stubborn to make a change.

How often is this same reality reflected in the rest of our lives?

We find something that works for a while and we cling to it with all our might – even after it stops working. Think about some of these aspects of your spiritual life:

• a job
• community
• Bible study method
• Personal devotion style
• church or community worship format
• ministry focus
• service passion
• giving opportunity

Those are just the ones that come to mind immediately. Looking back at my own life, I could probably think a quite a few more. I have clung stubbornly on many occasions.

We tend to believe that if something is right for us once, it is always right for us. And, there are times that is true. Marriage is a prominent example. But, just because we claim that truth for one aspect of life does not mean it is true for every aspect of life.

Even our deep-seated theological convictions cannot remain unchanged. Yes, even those must grow and change as the Holy Spirit illuminates God’s Word with increasing clarity as we mature in Christ.

What fit perfectly at one stage of life might not fit in the next.

The question is this: How stubbornly will we cling to what used to fit? How willing are we to accept the fact that even the most wonderful fits change sometimes?

As I look around me, I realize that my desk organization still needs to change. What once was perfect now needs some tweaking. I made a huge change to get to where I am right now. This time I only need a small change. But, it is still an adjustment. Come to think of it, I made a tweak a few weeks ago that will make this adjustment possible. I would not have even thought about this current change had it not been for that last little one.

The perfect structure for our spiritual lives is the same. It flows. Each change, each growth, each tweak builds on the one before. Some are major changes. Some are just little adjustments. But all are necessary.

What changes do you need to make this week? Don’t be stubborn. Take the plunge and enjoy the delight that the new structure brings…until God nudges you to change yet again.