(Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8)
Immutable is one of those $5 theological words
that describes an attribute of God. It is one of those attributes that
allows us to keep our faith and trust in Him daily. It simply means
"without change". That is why we can boldly say that the same God who brought
you through the storm 3 months ago is the same God who will bring you
through the storm today. He doesn't change. That is why we can have
confidence each day that God loves us. He doesn't change. It is the fact
that God never changes that gives us the ability to go to John 1:9 when we
sin and KNOW that He will forgive us and cleanse us. Part of the foundation
of our faith is this wonderful truth that GOD NEVER CHANGES.
The point I want to focus on today, however, is that WE do change. Living in
Florida these last 5 years, my wife and I often get away for a few hours and
drive just a few miles from our home to the Gulf of Mexico. We often sit
and talk, watching the tide roll in and out. I think how our lives are like
the tide. Always moving, always changing. The challenge I want to give you
today is this. Take a few minutes and get alone in a quiet place. Get some
paper and a pen. Make a list of the following categories. DAILY WALK WITH
CHRIST - CHURCH FELLOWSHIP SERVING GOD, SPOUSE (if applicable), CHILDREN (if
applicable), MOM, DAD, BOYFRIEND/GIRLFRIEND (if applicable), FAMILY MEMBERS,
FRIENDS, SCHOOL/WORK, FINANCIAL, HEALTH, RECREATION/HOBBIES, BONDAGES (such
as alcohol, drugs, pornography, gambling, etc.). Now in each category,
simply jot down notes as to where you were in this area 10 years ago, 5
years ago, 1 year ago, 6 months ago, and where you are now. Be honest, this
is between you and God.
The point of this exercise will be apparent very quickly. WE change. We
are not immutable. Unfortunately, much of our change is for the worse and
not the better. It doesn't happen overnight, but over a period of time,
just like the tide that slowly rolls in. It isn't even something we notice
most of the time. Looking over your paper when you are done will clearly
focus you on those areas of your life that you need to work on and make
some changes in. This may seem like a waste of time, but trust me, God is
speaking to you loud and clear as you read these words. He is trying to get
your attention. The 10 minutes it will take you to do this can be the
difference between your relationship with Christ being all it can be or
having little life in it. It can be the difference between a better
marriage or divorce. It can be the difference between having good health,
or constant battles in that area. I am not trying to be over-dramatic, but
the way we change over time, the subtle ways we change without even being
aware of it, can lead to many of the problems you are dealing with today.
These could be some of the most profitable minutes ever as the Lord reveals
to you those areas of your life that need to be worked on.
I love you, and I care about you so much. I realize many will resist this
exercise for many reasons. Ultimately, though, it is because the enemy will
try to stop you from having to face in black and white those things in your
life that need changing. We get comfortable in our lives, even when they
aren't the way they should be. We get comfortable living with sin. It is
like having a mouse in your house. You can't catch it, and it may even get to
a point where you will try and live with it. My friend, it is time for a
Holy Ghost extermination of those things in your life that shouldn't be
there. The only thing keeping you from all the wonderful blessings God has
for your life is YOU. I will be praying that you will take the
time to pray, put your life on paper, see those areas where you have moved
away from God, and give yourself a real and precise focus. I talk about
game plans as a way of overcoming sin in our life. Once you complete this,
you will then have identified those areas that need work, The next step is
to formulate a game plan in order to get where God wants you to be in every
area of your life. It won't be easy. It won't happen overnight. But over
time, working faithfully daily and in the strength He can supply, you will
see victory.
We can be thankful today that our God NEVER changes. We do. Now is the
time to see the areas of our life that need to be changed for the glory of
God!
