Queen Elizabeth is attributed as
saying, “Change is constant.” That has been
stuck in my brain. On the surface it seems to be an oxymoron but with just a
little thought I realized it is true. My dad used to say, “Today was tomorrow
yesterday.” That’s just another way of saying the same thing. Change happens
each moment one second at a time. Like the groom at the altar of marriage we
don’t want it/her to change. Whereas the bride chooses change and may yet regret
it.
The school year has begun and
with it changes for me. I am driving a new route. I had been in the same
general area of the county (Guyton) for 12 years and now I have changed (Shadowbrook subdivision).
All seemed ok until I stopped in front of the sheriff’s office on Hwy21 Thursday
at 7:58am because of backed up traffic going to the school. Slow and go,
creeping inch by inch we went. I did not realize how long it took until leaving
the high school and turning onto 119 I looked at my clock and it had taken 22
minutes. That’s when my route change seemed like I was short changed (Friday
was much easier and less time). Sometimes we need to learn to make change.
Barbara and I were in Dairy
Queen the other evening when we overheard a manager talking about having to
teach a cashier how to make change. There had been a software glitch and the
register was not showing the amount of change to return to the customer for
those who pay with cash (you remember cash). We do get lazy to the point of not
knowing other ways to do things when technology fails of glitches. Now you remember
how to make change? You take the total of the sale and then count money up to
the amount the customer gave you. Counting change to the dollar and then up etc.
until the exchange is equal. That’s how you make change. Sometimes we need to
agents of change.
Last week I had the opportunity
to share a message from Colossians chapter 1 where Paul describes Jesus. It is
a magnificent treatise of the identity, character and ultimate role Christ holds
and keeps in God’s kingdom. It is written with soring majestic language. Paul
reminds us that Christ; holds it together “everything
got started in him and finds its purpose in him.” (The Message); is all encompassing,
time space etc.; worthy of our gaze; But now, by giving
himself completely at the Cross, actually dying for you, Christ brought you over to God’s side and put
your lives together, whole and holy in his presence. (v. 22 MGS). Now Jesus has been
the change agent to make the opportunity to radically alter our existence from death
to life, mortal to immortal, visible to invisible. That’s what he has paid. So,
what is his change?
His change is how you make life
count in response to this great gift. Not that you can ever pay back what
Christ has done any more than a child can pay back a mother for her lifetime of
care. “Change is constant,” the queen said but my Jesus lived it first in his
service and sacrifice paying my debt of sin. In response he asks me to make
change. Make change in my actions and lifestyle. Make change in my family as I
relate and love them. Make change in my community, state and nation. Make
change in this world. We do that by living, loving and serving up to Jesus’
example. No register required!
In
HIS service and yours,
But it was Jim Croce who said, "The future is tomorrow 'cause the past is gone." Love you George, God bless.
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