Change is hard, and not always comfortable.
As I write today, I am sitting in my comfortable chair, feet up, coffee beside me, the Wonderdog snoring at my feet and the sky slowly lightening with the rising sun. I am delightfully comfortable, and I like it.
To change is to accept that we might be uncomfortable.
If I change chairs, it might not be as cozy.
If I try a new food at a restaurant, it might not be as tasty.
If I get a new hair style, it might not suit me as much.
This month I left what was known, safe and comfortable for a new job. As people have asked how I like the new job, I have opted to be completely honest …
“It has been good and bad, encouraging and frustrating … overall, change is hard when you are older.”
The first week of my new job I was frustrated with my commute and lonely for familiar faces … specific familiar faces of students and staff. The second week I was growing in affection for the new faces, the delightful team I get to work with and the students whose names I started to know. The third week I had figured out the commute, had a student initiate playing chicken in the hallway, began to revel in getting to help students with math (a personal love) and started praying for my co-workers.
I have also realized something about change …
change is hard, change is uncomfortable, but maybe we are not created to be comfortable.
In the there are numerous accounts of Jesus telling people to GO.
- in the Great Commission, Jesus says, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” (Mark 16:15)
- Jesus told an adulterous woman to, “Go, and sin no more.” John 8:11
- after healing the man with leprosy, Jesus told him to “go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded.” Luke 5:14
- to the woman who was healed from many years of bleeding, by, through faith, touching his cloak, he said, “your faith has healed you. Go in peace. You are free from your suffering.” Mark 5:34
And in Isaiah, when commissioned as prophet, by the Lord, Isaiah showed how to respond to the call to go:
“Then I heard the Lord’s voice, saying, “Who can I send? Who will go for us?”
So I said, “Here I am. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8)
We are called and commissioned to go.
Though this job change is uncomfortable, I am coming to realize that is is good to be uncomfortable, challenged and even a bit lonely. These experiences give new insights, and prompt reliance on the God who promises to already be where we are going.
“Have I not commanded you?
Be strong and courageous.
Do not be afraid;
do not be discouraged,
for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9
itsawonderfilledlife 