Change Hurts

By Sherry Womble

It has dawned on me in a very personal painful way that we never stop being in a "process". As Christ continues to transform our hearts, we are molded into something quite not human. I was reflecting on this very thing as we train a puppy. I am not a dog and can not talk dog but yet I want the dog to perform in a way that pleases me. So in an effort to train him, I have to watch him constantly and scold him often to keep him in line and then when he knows better, I really punish him. I put my finger to my lips and pause to think this seems very similar to the human experience.

God is spirit and must somehow convey His desires to us. Unlike the dog who can see my reactions, I can not see God's wrinkled brow or shake of the head. However, the connection is found through the spirit part of us. As we grow a closer understanding of our spirit self, we can begin to sense and experience God's displeasure. We are very inadequately equipped to honor God as He deserves to be honored, but yet we keep getting up when we get knocked down by the world or the chastising of the Lord to give Him praise.

A small child fell over the ledge at a zoo into the ape area. The dominant male immediately went over and kept guard on the child keeping the other curious apes away. Help arrived as onlookers watched the ape gently caress the unconscious child. This is how it must look when we yield a kind word to a wounded sheep that belongs to the flock of God. Growing that kind of compassion for God's people is a struggle and involves a great birthing process.

As we reflect on 2008 we will see a lot of changes. Hopefully you found pain and joy unspeakable as the Flesh was moved closer to God's spirit and to a greater compassion for His sheep. In a few weeks, our nation's vote for change will begin bringing both sorrow and joy. It is an opportunity for us to plant a seed into people's hearts pointing them to the One who makes change -- always for our betterment. Now more than ever as we enter the Latter Days, we must stand with our armor on in a position of not defending but in a position of advancing.

Any change, even a change for the better, is always accompanied by drawbacks and discomforts. ~Arnold Bennett

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