Lewis Memorial
09-06-09
“A Season of Change”
Jeremiah 18: 1-6


Why is it that so many people are scared of change? Maybe some people are more reluctant then they are scared, but nonetheless even the mere mention of the word change makes some folks uneasy! Now I am not a big change just for change sake kind of person. I may lean a little more on the side of “If it’s not broken – don’t change it!” But I realize that this is not always, 100%, completely the right way either. Sometimes a change is exactly what is needed to help me get through a tough situation or to help me see things in a new and enlightening way. We have an ongoing conversation in our household about what it means to be stubborn and many times a stubborn mind keeps us from experiencing a possible excellent change. This is true in our physical life as well as our spiritual life.

Sometimes a change of scenery helps us more then we ever thought was possible. Changing jobs can be a little scary but can also be the best change a person can make. And we all know the importance of changing the filters in our homes and changing the oil in our cars. Change doesn’t have to be a 4 letter word any more! Change doesn’t have to be something that scares you! Change doesn’t always mean something negative! I’m sure some of you sitting here this morning have been listening to this and are now scared to death! “Why is he talking so much about change? What is he about to tell us? Is a big change about to take place here at Lewis?” Well, I believe we are in a season of change and only God knows what His plans are for us here at Lewis, but it feels good to me!

Our Committee on Nominations has been meeting and praying over all of the other committees of our church and asking God to help us with the names of church members to be asked to serve here at Lewis. It is a tough task at times! You see I am a believer that when anyone makes the vows and joins the UM Church that this person is now willing to make good on all of the promises he or she has made. One of those vows is a promise to support the church with your service. Now I know that sometimes things are going on with work and family situations that make it near impossible to serve on a church committee. I understand that! But I also know that there are many more of us then there are actual positions to fill and I know that God has called all of us to serve Him in some capacity here at Lewis. This may require some of you to change! There’s that word again!

I’ve heard people claim that if they were supposed to be different then God would not have made them this way! WOW! We sure do blame God for many things, don’t we? God made us perfectly in His image, this is true! But most of our thoughts and the way we are is due to earthly influences, our culture, and our upbringing. Who we choose to associate with, the decisions we make on a daily basis, and the way we act and react are a combination of being led by the Spirit of God and by the world in which we live. There’s a great old saying that is perfect – “I may not be where I’m suppose to be, but thank God I’m not where I used to be!” There are times in our lives when we need God to do as the choir sang about a little while ago – Change my heart O God, make it ever true! Change my heart O God, may I be like you! Our scripture reading out of Jeremiah this morning reminds us that God is the potter and we are the clay. He can and will remold us and change us into what we are suppose to be for Him. But we have a part to play in this transformation as well!