Change by Karen Ruhl

I love people! Not just those I know, but, people I meet in grocery stores, or while walking. I miss being able to start up a conversation with strangers and plant seeds with those who are nonbelievers. I miss hugging family, friends, even strangers. What I have taken from this season, this year, this craziness we are dealing with, is that God wants us to change.

When I typed in what does the Bible say about change, it gave me many scriptures. One was Ephesians 4:22-24. I went to my Life Application Study Bible and looked up Ephesians 4:20-24. I encourage you to read the entire verse to know what it means. Taking one verse from a chapter can be misleading.

Ephesians 4:20-23 ESV: “But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.”

So we are to change the ways we know and how we act so that we can be more like Christ. Our entire way of living needs to change. We need to head in a new direction, with a different outlook and nature about us, we have a new way of thinking that the Holy Spirit gives us.

When you read through the Bible, you will find that God used men and women who truly needed to change their ways. Did you know that Paul was a murderer, Noah was a drunk, Peter denied Christ, Jonah ran away from Christ, Gideon was afraid, the Samaritan woman was divorced, Rahab was a prostitute, Elijah was suicidal and so many more had flaws - as we all do? And yet, God called on each of these great men and women and used them greatly after they changed their ways and came to Christ.

Change doesn’t always come easy, we are set in our ways, comfortable with our lifestyle, and blessed beyond measure - why change, right? And yet, this year, we have had so many changes that have interrupted our lifestyle, the way we are allowed to interact, the way we must be careful so as not to spread this virus. Some have worked through the virus, some have had major changes in their job situations. Churches have been told they must close. Restaurants, retail businesses, gyms, and so many more businessses were impacted. We had to change.

It is my belief, that God is using this time to bring about change with those of us who love and honor Him, and to bring more people to Him. We must change our ways so that we can win souls today.

One thing I know with every fiber of my body:

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 NKJV

Change, pray, believe, stay strong, help, and love others. Let’s change the world, one person at a time. I don’t know about you, but I want to see more people come to Christ. I want to be more loving, giving, and filled with compassion. Church, accept change, let’s do this together. ~ Blessings