Change of Plans

It seems normal for us now. Plans changing. We have become accustomed to getting ready to do something and then it not going as we planned that it would. We are living in a reality of flexibility right now. This is our norm. Since we just returned home a few days ago from a month long trip to attend missionary training and visit family and a few partnering churches, we are well aware that at any moment a flight can be delayed, someone can get sick, people will change their minds and it is completely out of our control. Completely. So as we have learned to "swallow a bag of rubber bands" - and be as flexible as possible...we also notice it's not comfortable...to most people...ourselves included. It's never easy. It's not necessarily preferred. But the outcome is always worth it! We want to be made more into the image of Christ and we know that by laying aside our desire for things to go as we want (or even hope and pray that they will go) that we are indeed being changed.

 

So I have found myself asking these questions...

• Do I get grumpy when plans change?
• Do I find it easy to flex from what I want?
• Do I apologize if I've offended someone in the process of change?
• Do I expect others to apologize when I feel wronged in the process of change?
• Do I forgive others when I feel they have wronged me in the process of change?
• Do I prefer others (with my actions and words) over my own happiness?
• How can I show Christ's example of love when things change?
• Is how I respond (and react) to change show that the Love of Christ dwells in me?

I'm sure many more questions can be added to this list...these are just a few running through my head right now. And they are convicting. They are not easy to answer. Because when I'm honest with myself, a lot of times, it's ugly. I don't always respond lovingly. I want to be understood. I am selfish. And I for sure have not always honored the Lord in all these areas. Even given my very best efforts, I never can. Only Christ was perfect and I know I am sufficient, I am enough IN HIM.

 

The things we have experienced over the past year have changed us deeply. And we are grateful for this change. We continue to pray for soft, moldable hearts. That we wouldn't be people who stick to routine for the sake of routine or because what we think is best. We want to see lives transformed by the Gospel, and if that means we give up our rights (or our perceived rights) to having things go our way, then we are willing to follow the Lord's leading in our lives to that end.


And we pray each day, Your will be done!