Change Up…
I don’t like change – maybe that’s universal. There are the lucky few who thrive on ever changing ways, but for the most part, I think we like reliable ordinary.
Small changes are the most annoying: just when you find a great lunch place they go out of business or the perfect lipstick they discontinue that color. The big changes, those sometimes leave us trying to breathe right, not enough o-x-y-g-e-n.
Then it’s right there in Matthew: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3 NIV) That change wasn’t so painful – in fact, He does all the work for us. “And the Lord–who is the Spirit–makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” (2Corinthians 3:18 NLT)
Wait, first little children then His glorious image. What’s the connection? Little ones easily trust, want to please, find awe in a snowflake or a smile in a caterpillar. His glorious image in us is a reflection of us trusting Him, living His way, and finding this is what gives us awe and smiles in the midst of all the trials and pitfalls.
Reading Ann Voskamp’s latest book The Broken Way she said “There’s absolutely no tidy pattern as to who gets pain and who gets peace.” My mother often said “Into each life a little rain must fall.” No getting away from it. But the living it – changes us. Each step towards the other side, brings about a better reflection in us of Who we belong to.
I came across this verse recently and thought wait, what? “When I awake, I am still with You.” (Psalm 139:18b NIV) It seemed so out of context. The verses preceding spoke of how God’s thoughts for us outnumber the grains of sand. That alone is mind boggling, but it ended with: when I am awake, I am still with You. I didn’t get it. Until I woke up the next morning and the first thing on my mind was a song playing over and over called “I Am Yours”…
“So I rest in your promises, I am sure of this, I am Yours”.Yes, when we awake, all through the night, through those crushing times, and in the midst of great joy – we are still with Him. Continue your change in us, Father, for with You change is good.
parisrenae 
You made it! Yay, glad you got it fixed. 🙂 What a pretty verse that is. Isn’t it funny how a Bible we’ve read all our lives can still unfold treasures. Living and active, indeed. 🙂 (And isn’t that so true about the restaurants and lipsticks, etc?! 🙂 ) Thanks for sharing, and thanks for linking up with #ChasingCommunity today! So glad the technical glitch is fixed and you can join us. 🙂 xoxo
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It is amazing how living and active His Word is and meets us right when we need it. Praying you rest in His changes for they are good!
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That’s such a great quote from The Broken Way.
And while your words inspired me, all those lovely pictures gave my heart hope that spring will one day return!
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Spring does give us such hope doesn’t it – may the spring of eternity be our perspective. Blessings and thank you for your kind words…
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Hi, Visiting you from #FreshMarketFriday. This a such a great post. I read Ann Voskamp’s book The Broken Way also. I learned so much from it. I love your statement “Each step towards the other side, brings about a better reflection in us of Who we belong to.” Change is difficult, but yes when we awake we are with Him no matter what the night has brought. What a beautiful promise. Thank you for sharing this. May your soul be refreshed in knowing His presence through all times and especially through the difficult times. Sweet Blessings to you.
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Cheryl, thank you for stopping by. His presence is our comfort for sure. May your reflection be your heavenly Father shining through you…
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