The fall is a beautiful time of year. It is a time of change. We change our clocks back and gain an extra hour; we change our wardrobe and bring out the sweaters, jackets and boots; the scenery changes from green to vibrant hues of orange, gold, yellow and brown; and we change from having the kids around all day to missing them until they return from school. These are just a few of the changes that take place every year. For many of us this is our favorite time of year. Maybe it’s the change or maybe it’s something that we can’t quite put our finger on – we just like the cooler, crisp weather; we like that things are going to be different; we like that we have a new routine.

This reminds me that our spiritual life is about change. God never intended for us to be static. He expected change to take place continuously throughout our lives. Paul put it in the following terms:

“…For your progress and joy in the faith.” (Philippians 1:25)

“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him.” (Colossians 2:6)

“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18)

These are just a few indicators in Scripture that our life in Christ was never meant to get to a point where change didn’t happen. And God has a goal in mind. God’s goal is for us is to be formed into the image of His Son (Romans 8:29-30).

But what if change isn’t taking place? There is a great danger in being satisfied with where we are in our relationship with God. What if someone has no hunger or thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:6)? What if someone doesn’t delight in God’s Word enough to study it and meditate on it (Psalm 119:16) or even carry it? What if, when someone is confronted with truth, they consistently choose to disobey that truth? Let me put to you this way: How can anyone claim to be God’s child if they have no interest in knowing and obeying the Father?

The answers to these questions are not easy, but I think the questions are necessary for each of us to ask personally. “The unexamined life is not worth living” (Socrates). “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith…” (Paul in 2 Corinthians 13:5).

Grace & Peace,

Week after week I find joy and encouragement in pastoring Calvary Baptist Church. These twin feelings come from YOU, the people – the real church. The church is not the buildings or budgets or programs. Even though we have decided that those are things we have, if you were to take them away it really wouldn’t change the fact that WE are Calvary Church!

Seeing you each week fills me with hope. The hope comes because transformation is possible through God’s Word. The Bible is what God uses to change every day people into extraordinary servants. And change is slow sometimes; we have to be willing to wait for the changes to occur. We can’t always have what we want, when we want it. God’s kingdom is not Burger King! It takes a lifetime to raise kids; the same principle is true of discipleship.

This is going to take patience. Patience is something I have to be constantly reminded of to practice. James points out that patience is part of the discipleship process when encountering trials.

“For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect [i.e., “mature”] and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:3-4)

Because trials are of “different” kinds we have to realize that once we’ve made it through one trial another of a different type is on the horizon. Trials come to mature our faith, to grow us spiritually. And nobody can ever say, “Hey, I’m done with trials. I now have my act together.” We know that nobody has their act together this side of eternity.

So what do we do? We buckle up, hold on for dear life, sink our teeth into God’s Word, and go for it! Faith demands this kind of tenacity. Living by faith is risky business, but it’s the best type of life to live because it is the only life that pleases God (cf. Hebrews 11:6).

I as sit here early in the week my heart is filled with hope for God’s church. Why? Because you keep coming back. Why is that? Because deep down you know that gathering as God’s people, united in purpose, worshiping as a family is necessary to scattering into the world as missionaries. My prayer is that all of us will be successful missionaries to our world.

Grace & Peace,