Often I hear people saying, “I hate change, why can’t people just leave things as they are?” Or the old classic, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” It just seems as though just when things are getting rolling along, something comes along to make it change.
However, the interesting thing about change is that many times we (with great joy) make choices that make changes. For instance, when you make a commitment to love another person and share a life and home with them…Or when you decide to conceive, or adopt, or even mentor a child. When you accept a promotion or take on another job. All of these are major changes and in most cases, we greet these changes with excitement, joy, and hope. Dan and Chip Heath point out in their book Switch, that while we have generally negative feelings towards changes, if we understand the reason and the purpose behind a change we can embrace the change and change can become a very positive experience.
During Lent, many of us are reading (in small groups) a book called, Changing the World, Recovering the Message and Mission of Jesus. This book invites us to look at the ways we are currently being church in our community, and to consider changes. Changes in the ways we are church; changes that might make our church more relevant to both our personal spiritual needs and the needs of our community. Some of the first groups have already met as I am writing this article and I am excited to hear about the energy that is coming from the discussions. If you are not already reading the book or are not signed up for a group, there is still time to participate. I invite you to take a journey with us this Lent to see how we can change our world for God’s glory. I invite you to read the book or the study guides, and to talk with those around you, or give me a call and share your ideas. Books are available at the communion rail. Please consider joining us.
I am hopeful that this Lenten season will be a time in which we can reflect and dream about what God would have us do to make St. Louis a city that is known for the mighty works that God is doing in our midst. I am hopeful that we will find ways that we can make subtle changes that will enhance our personal relationship with God and each other. God truly is “doing great and amazing things in our midst.”
Blessings on the journey.
~Pastor Kathleen
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
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