Change

By Greyson Gilbert

Many people fear change.

We like comfort, schedules, routines, and structure. None of those things are bad things, but what about when they inhibit growth? God uses change, big and small, for the purpose of our growth. If we never underwent change, then nothing in our lives would ever change for the better. This is a truth.

When I'm on a hunt, many things can change. I think thats something thats valuable about spending time in the outdoors, that as much as you can prepare and train for a trip, some things are completely out of your control. You can't control the weather. You can't control the animals, or how they are going to act or respond to different circumstances. You can control the things that you can control, like preparation, gear, scouting, practice time at the range, and your own mentality. Eventually, however, the mountain will do with you whatever it wants to do with you, and you can only choose how to respond to the adversity, just like in life.

If the weather shifts on you while stalking a deer, if a south wind suddenly becomes a north wind, or if it starts raining or the day warms up, you are going to have to alter your game plan. You'll probably have to change your approach and where you search for animals. They could have moved to cover, shade in the thickest brush, or they could be feeding in a different area. 

The same is true in life. You have to roll with the punches. Events, sickness, death, career changes, moves, new friends, new places; they all come and go, and the change that they bring can be wholly inevitable. We are often forced to make decisions that bring change, but something to remember is that not all change is bad. 

The philosophical Law of Change states that all things are in the process of becoming something else. There is some truth in that law, that every day decisions we make are shaping us into who we are to become.  When we follow, and TRUST the change that God all too often brings upon our lives, we are in the process of becoming who He has meant us to be. Nothing speaks more on the purpose of change than the Bible. 

Abram was comfortable. He had many possessions, many servants, and a place to call home. When God called him into uncertainty, the scriptures say that "Abram went." As God had told him, Abram trusted. He took his possessions and left, just like that. For an eternity, it was hard on him. He almost lost faith in God but was always reminded of His promise of prosperity, and his patience through adversity paid off.

Matthew 19 tells of the rich young ruler's encounter with Jesus. He asks Jesus what it is he must do to gain eternal life, and Jesus responds by telling him to keep the commandments. The rich young ruler responds by claiming that he has, and asks Jesus a second time what it is that he lacks in gaining eternal life. Jesus then responds by telling the man the one thing the man did not want to hear: to choose change. "If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." 

We are called to embrace change, and we have to in order to become more like Christ, who has called us to step out and go. We cannot go if we don't let change do it's work in our lives.

In Luke 9:61-62, some men were talking to Jesus about following him:

Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.”

Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

When change comes, don't fear it. Change is often a challenge from God, and it brings good things to those who trust in him and are patient amidst the uncertainty of change.