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Change is usually not welcomed by most people. People resist the kind of change that, they think, would make his/her situation worse than better. Most people have no problem in changing job when it means higher pay; or to move to a bigger house in a better neighborhood. If change is required because of job loss, health problem, family problem, etc. Then, it creates ill feeling and resistance. Someone used to say, “No one likes to change, unless it is absolutely necessary.”

Recent announcement in my working place, which provides an opportunity of early retirement to employees, was an interesting topic for many of us. From the hallway talks that I have heard, there were not many people like to take the option. Besides doubts and confusions with the announcement, I believe there were resistances to change too – knowing that there is going to be a drastic change in life style. One of my colleagues even told me that he is afraid of retirement because he does not know what to do after and he may not have enough medical benefit to cover himself. This reminds me to ask myself, “Do I have a similar problem too?” I think I have no problem because I know it is going to be better – I can have more time to serve the Lord and enjoy my life, if Lord is willing.

When we first met our Lord and accepted Him as our Savior, the Holy Spirit transformed us into a new creation – the old has gone and the new is here (2 Corinthians 5:17). It is a change came from God, like prophet Ezekiel said, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 我也要賜給你們一個新心、將新靈放在你們裡面．又從你們的肉體中除掉石心、賜給你們肉心。(Ezekiel 36:26)”.  We received the new heart and new spirit to our old flesh and He urges us to change our old behaviors. Because of our sinful nature, resistance to change continues to surface – we struggle to follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We tend to go back to our old habit and old life style. However, the Scriptures reminded us that the change is necessary because it is the will of God.

Therefore, as Christians, change is necessary if we want to grow into a full measure of Christ. Our old self is never meant to inherit the kingdom of God, as Apostle Paul said, “I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 弟兄們、我告訴你們說、血肉之體、不能承受　神的國．必朽壞的、不能承受不朽壞的。(1 Corinthians 15:50)”.  As a result, the change we are undergoing now shall enable us to inherit His kingdom.

No doubt about that we will continue to experience difficult situations or face all kinds of challenges during the process of change. We just have to remember that we have our Lord the great shepherd. He will lead us through peaks and valleys of our journey of life because He promised that He will be with us and will never forsake us.

My dear brothers and sisters, we may resist changing our old life style and habits. But, please remember that it is God’s will that we were predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son (Romans 8:29). Let’s be reminded that the change of giving up our flesh desires that are hindering us from following the Lord is necessary. May our Lord bless you and keep you as always.