I’ve heard it said that we won’t change until the pain of remaining the same is greater than the pain of change. The turning of the page from one year to the next often kindles our desire to make changes in our lives. Lose weight. Exercise. Eat better. Dump that old boyfriend who’s really not all that into you or find a new girlfriend that appreciates you for who you are. Find a new job that utilizes your skills and talents and provides opportunity for growth.
When we are discontent with the status quo, we begin to hunt for ways to make changes and mix things up in our lives. This can be daunting and scary. The comfort we sense being where we are regardless of how pitiful a place that may be suddenly overrides our recognition of the changes that need to be made.
When we are discontent with the status quo, we begin to hunt for ways to make changes and mix things up in our lives.
Rainer Bantau
Change won’t happen unless you choose to make it happen. That doesn’t mean you must do it alone. In fact, it’s possible you are unable to change on your own Truthfully, it may be unwise to tackle the transformation that is necessary without the help of others.
Change will not begin to take place until the pain of remaining the same is greater than the pain of change.
Rainer Bantau.
Even when I was at my lowest point in my life 25 plus years ago and I realized remaining the same meant certain death, I had to choose life. Thankfully, God, in His grace and mercy, gave me the opportunity to change the course of my life.
Now choose life…
Deuteronomy 30:19 (NIV)
Life is full of choices. God as I understand Him is not some grand puppet master, but a gracious, loving Lord who has our best interest in mind. Living a godly life doesn’t happen without trial and error. It demands effort and it requires making good choices each and every day. You need to be both determined and pliable. When we are inflexible we become closed to learning. Pride seeps in as any sense of humility dissipates.
As a Christian, every day gives me the opportunity to live out the love and grace that I have received. As my late friend Mark Jones liked to say, “You’re either pointing people to Jesus or you’re pushing them away. Try to be someone who points them to the Cross rather than pushing them away.”
Reflection Questions:
- How does your salvation in Jesus Christ affect your everyday life?
- Are you following God in every avenue of your life?
- Are you genuinely living in the freedom that Jesus showers upon you through God’s saving grace?
- As a lover of Jesus, are you devoted to living your life for God?
Prayer:
God, thank You for second chances. Thank You for the ability to make wise choices and the opportunity to discern between right and wrong. Thank You for life. Thank You for Jesus. Help me point people to You. In His name. Amen.
Under Christ, for the Glory of Christ.
Blessings,
The Devotional Guy™
The prodigal is welcomed home, the sinner now a saint. For the God who died came back to life and everything is changed. (Brian Johnson, Phil Wickham, Mack Brock)
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The Devotional Guy™ 