Living with Change
Life seems to continuously involve change, so as a trusted friend of mine reminds me, it is better to live with change and influence the changes, rather than fight every change you encounter.
Some of the changes we encounter are simply because we are moving from one stage of life to another. Some of the changes are because the people and organisations around us are changing and changing the way they relate to us; changing how they do things. And some of the changes we are instigating because we are either responding to changes in life or seeking to improve our current situation.
Change brings both challenges and blessings.
As a community of followers of Jesus, the church, we also are involved in changes in these communities.
As part of the Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand we are experiencing change at church wide level, and at local levels. Some of these changes include:
- Welcoming new people into our communities and farewelling others
- Individuals growing deeper in faith and love for God and their communities.
- The recent vote to allow for the ordination of both men and women.
- The sale of Churchwide properties in North Adelaide and the purchase of new properties in Frome Street Adelaide
- Changes in the way we respond to some governance and compliance matters.
- And in New Zealand working with the NSW and ACT District for bishop oversight has resulted in some changes.
Not surprisingly people react to these changes in different ways, some embrace, some are cautious, and some oppose change. At times, some people think they are fearing change, Simon Sinek (a Christian leadership observer) suggests it is not that people are fearing change, but fearing loss, because change often brings some form of loss.
And this is a good starting point for all of us as we live with change:
- Recognise the loss we are likely to encounter because of change.
- Give thanks for the blessings these losses have given us in the past.
- Let go of that which we are about to lose.
- Place our struggles and disappointments relating to these losses with God.
- Seek God’s guidance as we live with change.
- Look forward to what change is bringing about and pray how God is calling us to be involved in the change.
It is also important to remember that whilst the bible reminds us that God’s love for us never changes (see Isaiah 54:10, Psalm 136:1 and 1 Corinthains 13:8). It also reminds us that God is constantly involved in change in our lives.
For instance, Isaiah 43:19 says.
The Lord says See; I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
and Philippians 3:13-14
Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
So, as we encounter change in our lives, may we:
- be guided by God and keep focused on Jesus.
- be involved in the change, as God often works through His people like you and me to shape and influence what is changing.
- trust God as we live with change.
Bishop Richard Schwedes
November 2024
