I know radical change does happen, I have seen it. People who change their lives in a moment and it lasts a lifetime. Alcoholics who choose not to drink one day, and never touch a drop the rest of their lives. People, like Zaccheus in the Bible, who are thieves one day and generous givers after an encounter that changes their life. But, I think that this is not the normal way that people change, or the way that God changes people most times. I think change takes time. Sometimes we sit around waiting for God to strike us with lightning or "give us a sign" or a huge experience that forces us to change who we are, and most of the time, that does not happen...and so we are waiting for...nothing. Change is gradual, it is often quiet. If I wished that I was a great hockey player I wouldn't expect to become that after learning how to skate one day, but it seems like if I want to become a great person or Christian I expect myself to change overnight into that person. I have to accept that I know that I am not who I ought to be, but that's OK, I will slowly work at becoming better...please have patience with me, and I guess I will with you.
Our Sr. Pastor mentioned in his sermon a while back that Jesus was 33 when he died. I guess it struck a real cord with me because I am still thinking about it, I guess the fact that I am 34 has something to do with it. I wonder at the things he accomplished, things that have had some staying power ( 2.1 Billion people claim to be his follower). This has stirred me to reflect on my life, what have I accomplished in my 34 years? As I think about that I realize that the things that I pursue as "great things" are not very much like what Jesus considered to be great. Jesus didn't start any programs, he only spoke to crowds that gathered around him naturally (he didn't do any advertising). Jesus wasn't a dynamic personality, people were drawn to him because of who he was, not because he was a great leader, or a powerful person. The only group he formed was a group that just kind of wandered around with him seemingly aimlessly. He avoided crowds, had a quiet per...
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