God Is Faithful! But How Quickly We Forget…

            Change is hard… There’s no two ways about it. No matter whether our current situation is one of difficulty or ease, thinking of making even necessary changes brings our anxiety levels right up. It’s true in our personal lives, and it’s true in the corporate lives of congregations.

Why are established patterns so difficult to change? Because whether they are healthy or harmful, they are at least comfortable. Changing course means disruption and hard work, not to mention the fear of uncertain outcomes when proceeding into unknown territory. Sometimes even after putting forth the effort and making changes, the first time we face a “hiccup” or obstacle in the new path, we are tempted to revert to our former situations. We begin to experience selective amnesia, remembering only the good things and forgetting the drawbacks of days gone by.

            Need an example to help illustrate this point? Let me offer the Israelites. Consider how unimaginably difficult their experience of slavery in Egypt was to bear. Yet as the story is recorded, they were hardly out the door after a dramatic and miraculous rescue when they came upon the first hiccup in the plan. They found themselves out in the wilderness with no food and not a grocery store in sight. What was their first response? Was it to turn to God and say, “We know You brought us here, so we know You will take care of us”? No, instead their first thought was that they wished that God would have killed them in Egypt! (Exodus 16:3) They began longing for the meat they used to eat, while somehow forgetting that they were only well-fed so that they could be forced to work long days in the hot sun.

            Oh, if I could only remember the lessons, not only of the Israelites, but also of my own life! How many times has God been faithful in leading me out of my own slavery to self-destructive patterns, to better places and healthier patterns of living, and yet I am still reluctant to follow when He calls. And if I do follow, it’s too often on a “trial basis” and I am ready to give up at the first struggle. God, have mercy on me! Oh, that I would learn to trust you more. Give me a steadfast heart, and a long memory, to carry me through those inevitable times of doubt.

After all, if there’s one thing I’ve learned, and that I’ve heard others confirm, it’s that following God’s call may not often be easy, but it’s always worth it. Let’s all join together on this journey to Christ-likeness, encouraging each other along the way and reminding ourselves and others of God’s goodness and faithfulness. May we remember it, and may we proclaim it!  Amen.

Pastor Carl