Changes

I know a thing or two about changes because we’ve been moving. I’ve been at it for a week, at least!  It’s not for the faint of heart—or body. 

Yesterday, in a children’s sermon, a pastor told the kids that everything changes…everything but God. I’m in the middle of a big change. We’ve been in the ministry for 47 years and on staff of a church for 42 years. Yesterday, was the first time in a very long time that we were a part of a congregation in a church instead of a part of leadership. I know it will take time for us to find our way. We’ve moved in with my mom. It will help her but it also helps us. We’ve moved to a new town (although it’s the house and town in which I grew up). We’ll have to adjust to a new income. So many changes!!

As the pastor told the kids that “God never changes,” it hit me—this is the reason we try to hold on to doing things the same old way. We want to be our own god. We don’t want to walk in faith—trusting God to meet all our needs. We want to desperately cling to what we know and to what is comfortable. 

But God.  God never changes so we have a one, true constant and stability. When we cling to him instead of our comfort, we are taken on a great adventure!  We’re not supposed to cling to the world or our comfort. We’re supposed to live for God’s kingdom and His righteousness—keeping our focus on He who never changes. When we do, He’s promised to supply all our needs.  How can we lose?

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8

“For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.” Malachi 3:6

The Despiser

Don’t you always put yourself in the role of the good guy when you read the stories in the Bible?  Me, too.  But recently, God told me to take a closer look. I knew it meant, “Pay attention, Becky. Let’s get honest!”

I read I Chronicles 15. David had learned his lesson after Uzza had been killed when he reached to steady the ark of the covenant as they were transporting it to Jerusalem on a cart. God doesn’t tolerate us doing the right thing the wrong way. This time, David did it the right way. Priests put poles through the gold rings on the ark and carried it on their shoulders as God had originally instructed. 

Michal, David’s wife, didn’t participate in the loud and extravagant singing and dancing as the ark processed into Jerusalem. Oh no. She was watching and despising David in her heart. Why was a king making a fool of himself by leaping and dancing with complete abandonment in front of God and everyone?

Have you ever looked at others as they praised and worshipped, led, prayed, celebrated, loved extravagantly, taught (or any number of things)—and despised them?  I have, I’m ashamed to admit. God hates that sin and won’t tolerate it. 

What does God desire? It’s in this same story. He wants us, as priests, to carry the ark TOGETHER! It’s the same today as it was then—the ark is the presence of the living God. If we’re fully focused on carrying the presence of God with others, there’s no room for despising. Our focus is completely on God and ushering in his presence—a life-giving and life-altering habitation of God himself.  

If you despise someone in your heart, it’s a pretty good indication of where the fault lies. Get alone with God. Confess that sin. And then pick up the pole of the ark, fix your eyes on Jesus, and work with others to usher in his presence!

Don’t be like Michal. God punished her with childlessness. He didn’t want her attitude perpetuated.