Let’s face it, no one really likes change. None of us gets up in the morning and says, “Gee, I hope everything changes today.”
Truth is, we like our routines. Take your morning routine, for example. I’m sure you have one, the way you prepare for your day. The cup of coffee (or tea in my case), the shower, the makeup, the way you leave the house, we love it when it all goes smoothly, when plans come together according to routine.
What happens when something throws a wrench in that routine? A kid gets sick, you have a flat tire, or the outfit you had picked out doesn’t fit quite right after all the snacking you did at the Super Bowl? You get upset, right!
Or maybe that’s just me.
But what if we could simply choose to adapt, to pivot, to make course corrections with ease. So much easier said than done.
As I reflect on my own journey, it has been filled with course corrections and opportunities to adapt in order to grow. When I got remarried, there were so many ways I had to adapt. Besides having a new husband, I was a Step-Mom to two boys that I adored; but I had no idea what their routines were. And here’s the thing about routines, they aren’t always right or wrong, but they can definitely look very different!
And John did some things very differently than I did and vice versa. It was a constant balance of give and take.
The thing that got us through those differences was our willingness to adapt. John and I had both been through painful divorces, and we were determined to make our marriage work. This meant we had to find a new “normal,” a new routine, and be willing to let go of parts of our old routines when needed.
And if I’m honest, it was rough at times; but the state of our hearts made all the difference.
Faith requires a willingness to adapt as well. Our theme verse for Choose Ministry is:
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
Romans 12:2 (NLT)
There are two little words in that verse that speak volumes to me. The first one that jumps out is when it says “let” God transform you. Transformation involves a willingness to enter into the process of change. It’s a heart that is open to new awareness and is willing to pivot when convicted by the Holy Spirit to change. It's a spirit willing to say yes to the promptings of our loving and gracious God, even when it disrupts the routines in our lives.
The second precious little word that can easily be missed is “then”...“then you will learn to know God’s will for you.” In other words, it’s only after we submit to change that we are fully aware of God’s will for us, that place that’s good and pleasing and perfect.
Life is full of change, and it always will be. Instead of fighting it, God’s truth promises that when we choose to adapt, to change the way we think by letting His truth change us, we’ll find His will.
That beats routine any day!
Love and hugs,
Jill
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