When you walk into the church on Sunday you may notice a couple of changes. The worship design team has been hard at work creating a wonderful, acoustically savvy and properly amplified worship space. So what does that mean? I won’t say. Let’s see if you begin to notice a difference. There is still much work to do but it is exciting to see the changes already.

But let’s be honest, changes aren’t always exciting.

Maybe you are going through a major change in your life. It may be a new job or a job loss; it could be the birth of a new child or the loss of a loved one. It could be a pay raise or a major reduction in income. It might be the end of an old relationship or the start of a new one.

Whatever change you may be facing, change has the power to create some stress in our lives, wouldn’t you agree? Even good change. Working at the church today was interesting as Rose and I were entertained by the sounds of banging, and drilling and shouting from the attic; wires coming out of everywhere, and construction material strewn here and there.

Depending on the kind of change you are experiencing, change can be exhausting, it can rob you of feelings of security, that can lead to fear, doubt and discouragement. Change isn’t always exciting.

So how can God help us deal with change? Well, let me tell you what’s helped me. As I read the Bible there are several principles that can help.

1. First, even in the midst of change, remember God is in charge. Check out 1 Chronicles 29:11-12. These verses clearly remind us that God is in control of everything. All the change that happens in our lives is the result of God allowing it to happen. Everything we have is not ours; it belongs to God. All power belongs to God. Amen!

Another great reminder for me during times of change is this:

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:8)

We can look at change differently when we see it from the perspective of God’s unfailing love for us. Sure difficulties are going to come our way, but they are part of God’s way of growing us into the people He made us to be.

2. Another verse that speaks to me about change is Ecclesiastes 3:1: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens”

The Byrds even made this verse into a song in 1965. Of course this was way before my time... but music is music and this is a great song! Check it out.

So what this verse says to me is that change is a part of life, so rather than being surprised or scared by it, we can understand that change is a part of life and that by holding onto our faith, God will help see us through.

3. Romans 8:28 is a great reminder too:

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Change may not always be exciting but by accepting that God is in control of everything, that God always acts out of love for us, and that change and difficulty are a natural part of life, we can react to change without giving into fear, ‘cuz God is in charge!!

Join us this Sunday as Phil Hainaut of Youth Unlimited will share with us the amazing work being done with the youth in our community. He will also be leading a workshop for the parent of our youth. If you have a youth, know a youth or maybe want to be a youth come join us immediately following the service. A light lunch will be provided. YOU will be glad you did!