Don't ever change? Nonsense! You know if we all go back and read what some of our friends wrote in our high school yearbook, we would most likely discover that most of the comments were not very original. "Remember all the fun we had in English class?" There were many more, but the one that seems to be most prevalent is this: "Don't ever change." It appears to be a lovely thought at first glance, and I suppose it was meant as a compliment. But have you ever considered how unfulfilled our lives would be, in fact, if we never changed? What if our job performance never changed? What if our relationships with family and friends never changed for the better? What if our soul-destroying habits never changed? I must say that a changeless life is, indeed, a wasted life.
Let's digress here a minute. Some modern folks propose and entertain the hope of a new world order based on understanding and peace. But this worldly mindset will only subjugate instead of elevate the unity espoused. I truly believe that since God is left out of the equation for the most part, there will not be any unifying or organizational force. Utopian philosophy has never worked. This is in no way being pessimistic, as some might think. The reason for that is because the sacred Scriptures cautions and clarifies that there will be no cessation of troubles in this world (as we see in the world news) daily. But here is the good news. When we call on and trust in Almighty God, we are saved, so to speak, from any fear or enemy.
Here are some tips for real change:
"Pleasant speech is persuasiveness" (Proverbs 16: 21 RSV)
"Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife" (Proverbs 17: 1)
"He who keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble" (Proverbs 21: 23)
"Hope deferred makes the heart sick" (Proverbs 13: 12)
"Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established" (Proverbs 16: 3)
"Be glad in the Lord" (Psalm 32: 11)
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth should change" (Psalm 46: 1-2)
"For all things are possible with God" (Mark 10: 27)
"Where there is no guidance, a people falls; but in the abundance of counselors there is safety" (Proverbs 11: 14)
"For all who take the sword will perish by the sword" (Matthew 26: 52)
"But the prudent man ignores an insult" (Proverbs 12: 16)
READ THE PROVERBS AND THE PSALMS FOR POSITIVE CHANGE
Ron