Change

             Change in life is inevitable.  Without change, there is no growth, no productivity, and no adventure.  At this time of the year, many youngsters and their parents are experiencing the first day of school, which is one of the first “milestone” changes that we all experience.  Other milestones might be graduation, marriage, or first jobs.  The point is that we all experience change at numerous times in our lives.  The outcome of those changes will often depend on how we respond to them.

            When we look to the Scripture, as various people encountered God, their lives were changed in tremendous ways. All of them had a choice in how they responded to the changes that God initiated.

            Mary and Joseph are two who had their lives planned.  They were engaged to be married.  Joseph was a righteous man and had a good job as a carpenter.  He was prepared to support his new family.  Mary was a young woman, a virgin, preparing to care for her home.  Then, God intervened and changed everything!

            As a young woman, pledged to be married, what do you do when an angel shows up and says that you are going to give birth to God’s only Son?  As a proud man, what do you do when an angel tells you that your fiancé is pregnant, but it’s okay because God is the Father?  Drastic change was about to happen in their lives, but it was up to them how they would respond. 

            Mary’s response has always amazed me.  “How will this be, Mary asked the angel, since I am a virgin?” (Luke 1: 34 NIV84).  She wasn’t asking out of disbelief.  She was simply curious as to how such a thing was possible.  Her obedience is spelled out clearly in her ultimate response, “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered, “Let it be to me as you have said” (Luke 1: 38 NIV84). Joseph didn’t verbally acknowledge the angel’s instructions, but “he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded and took Mary home as his wife” (Matthew 1: 24 NIV84).

            These two people were chosen by God because of their faith and obedience.  To accept the drastic changes that God brought to their lives, they had to continue in the faith and obedience that had been the bedrock of their lives before the angels appeared. 

            Change will come in all our lives.  What we do now will prepare us for the next change or chapter that comes.  If we make God the foundation of our life, trusting Him and obeying Him, we will be prepared for whatever the next chapter of our lives might bring.  Like Mary, we’ll be prepared to say, “I am the Lord’s servant.” 

            Someone dear to me is beginning the next chapter of his young life today.  To him, I say, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3: 5, 6 NIV84).

            Matthew 1: 18 – 25                         Luke 1: 26 – 38                    Proverbs 3: 5, 6

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