A NEW VIEW OF CHANGE

A NEW VIEW OF CHANGE

READ:
John 10:7-18

I am the good shepherd; and
I know My sheep.  -John 10:14

People hate change, or so I hear. 

But the change we generally resist is the kind that we think will make our situation worse rather than better.  We eagerly change jobs when it means higher pay and more influence.  We happily move to a bigger house in a better neighborhood.  So it's not change in general that we hate; it's change that involves loss-sometimes physical; other times emotional or psychological.

Change is both inevitable and necessary.  If everything stays the same, no one is growing.  But we have a Shepherd who guides us through change and leads us to a better place.  Getting there may be difficult, as it was for the Israelites in reaching the Promised Land.  They grumbled when their situation got worse rather than better (Exodus 15:24); Numbers 14:2).  But we have the example of Jesus.  In less than a week, He went from being the leader of many to being abandoned by all.  Between Psalm Sunday and God Friday, the Good Shepherd became the Passover Lamb.  Because Christ willingly went through suffering, God elevated Him to the highest place (John 10:11; Philippians 2:8-9).

Not all change is pleasant, but when we're being led to a better place by Someone who loves us, we don't need to hear it. -Julie Acherman Link

I know not, but God knows;
Oh, blessed rest from fear!
All my unfolding days
To Him are plain and clear. - Flint
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Faith in Christ will keep us steady
in the stormy sea of change.

INSIGHT
In our Lord's statements about His role as Shepherd, the key is found in verses 11 and 15-18.  There He flips the picture:  the Shepherd becomes the Lamb, sacrificed for the sins of others.  The amazing fact is that He did this willingly (v.18)).

Have a blessed day.
God Our Creator's Love Always
Unity & Peace