Be
Open To Change
“Beware of the teachers of
the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted with
respect in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues
and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows’ houses and for a show
make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.” – Luke 20:46-47
Th Pharisees were something else, weren’t they? They
probably meant well. They studied hard to know all the rules. Hadn’t they
earned the right to look down on others? Shouldn’t others think as highly of
them as they thought of themselves?
No matter how many times they claimed the law came
from God, it was their own manmade rules that governed them. It was one reason
they disliked Jesus so much. Our Savior came to shake things up, to challenge
the norm, to point people back to God Almighty.
That threatened the Pharisees. They liked things the
way they were. They were in charge and they were comfortable with that. They
planned to do everything they could – including killing Jesus – to keep their
rules and their control firmly in place.
We would never be that rigid. Would we? We would never
turn away from something good just because it didn’t come from us. Would we? We
would never let our own pride cause us to do something wrong. Would we?
Sometimes I think churches are the absolute worst when
it comes to change. I’m not talking theology here. God’s Word speaks truth.
Always.
No, I’m talking about how we do things around the
church. It can be criticizing contemporary versus traditional music. It might be
following the Sunday school curriculum verses current topics from outside
sources. And it can be something so simple as how we organize a program.
We get so caught up in how it has always been done
that we miss the opportunity to open our hearts to what might be. I’ve watched
churches die because the older members, the ones who had devoted their lives to
that church, wouldn’t change anything to welcome younger people into their fold.
We all know that our faith’s future lies with the children, with their parents,
with those who come behind us.
I’ve seen huge fights over the order of a program,
when a video should be aired, and how tables are decorated. Really. Because
when we start making suggestions, when people start pushing for change, there
is a natural inclination to push back. We don’t really like change, do we? But
comfortable places aren’t always where we’re supposed to be.
We’ve been having some discussions at our church about
trying a few new things. Will they work? Will we see success and reach new
people? Will more people become involved, truly invested in our church? We don’t
know. We can only pray for the Spirit’s guidance and work hard. The rest is up
to God.
I’m not really sure how these new programs will be
received. Nothing has changed or likely will change. We’re just adding on, as
the saying goes. We’re opening up new opportunities. But here’s the thing: We
really need everyone to help and support us. What’s a generational dinner
without all the generations represented? What’s a new Bible study without a
diverse group to participate?
Don’t let fear of change hold you back from giving
something a try. Don’t cling so tightly to your perceived power that you miss
out on a wonderful opportunity from God. And don’t get so uptight with how it’s
always been done that you push away the younger generation who are eager to
help and to learn.
It really isn’t about us. It isn’t about rules and the
way things have always been done. It’s about a Savior and a King. It’s about
service and sacrifice. It’s about God’s love for us and how we’re supposed to
love others. Give change a chance. You might be amazed at what God can do with
an open heart.
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