Dealing With Change

About a week ago it was announced that two of our Pastor’s at the church my family and I attend have resigned. They both are seperately being led on to other opportunities and will leave by the end of June. Two years prior to this the Senior – Founding Pastor was led to do other ministry for God after 18 years. In June, we will be without 3 positions until God and the various search committees find and call a Senior/Teaching Pastor, Worship Pastor, and Youth Pastor while other leaders, elders, etc. fill in the huge gaps that will be left.

Obviously, during these past two years and now on the heels of the news regarding more change, there have and will be a lot of growth opportunities or as I like to refer to them as, “Here we Grow again”, times.

During these times it seems a natural response for people to get anxious, nervous, possibly upset, or in some cases unfortunately they just give up and leave - none of which is healthy because God has a better way.

At times like these, I’m reminded again of the passage in Philippians where Paul encourages and instructs us with the following:

"Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." ~Philippians 4:5-7(NASB)

Hang in there friend, pray, be thankful, make your requests known through prayer, and know that God will give you His peace! What an awesome lesson for us!

Through every circumstance God is at work. Through recent challenges whether through changes at church or trials in other areas of my life, I’m moved to pray more and more because God is at work and fretting over things doesn’t do me any good rather, it can make one down or depressed.

My prayer for those in this situation at our church or maybe you’ve stopped by to visit and you’re in the midst of a trial of life as well, I pray that you hang on and get on your knees and pray because God’s way is the better way.

Whether in the midst of what seems like a personal or other crisis, take it to God.

Then, get excited that God is moving and working things out in a way that you just can’t see yet. He allows change to happen for a reason and He’s bound to have bigger plans for you, your church, etc., with a result that will have a greater impact on you, the church, and the community He’s called you to live and serve in.

Don’t ever try to just “deal” with change on your own, rather, take it to God through Jesus Christ. He wants to hear from you and be the strength you need to help you through everything that life brings your way.

May His peace be with you now as you seek Him with everything that is within you. AMEN?!