Change: Fear or Hope?

Change: Fear or Hope?

Change, it’s only a six-letter word, but just the mention of this word fills us with either fear or hope. As humans, we are resistant to change. We like normalcy. We like when the matters of life just let us be. Unfortunately, the matters of life, the matters of relationship, the world, and sin force us into action and into the change that we so greatly fear. So then, since this change is inevitable, what are we being called to change or conform to? What is our security within this change?

The Apostle Paul guides us to what we shouldn’t be changing to fit or conforming to,
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:1-2)

Though the world with all its glitz and glitter calls to us, “Conform to me, be like me!” we are left with no security in the promises of the world. We are left with the dissatisfaction of what we have become and with the knowledge that we need to continue to change in an effort to obtain this feeling of security within the world. Without this security and filled with fear, we are called to turn from our conformity to the world and turn to the promised change that we have received in Christ.

As Christians, how are we to respond to not only this word but also the experience of change as well? As Christians, we are promised that we this change has already begun in us and will be fully completed in Christ. We are called trust in what we are being changed into.

“See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.” (1 john 3:1-3)

So, where do we find security in the midst of change? We find our security through our trust, hope, and belief in God’s word and promise that His word will be fulfilled. Our peace comes in the midst of not knowing exactly what change will take place but knowing that change will come to completion in Christ.

Vicar Jason Pollington
Christ Lutheran Church