Fresh Mannaby Pastor Tim BurtI recently heard a frustrated person say People never change. I know why many would think that. As a Pastor for 35 years, I regularly interacted with thousands of people. I've seen more than a few repeatedly fall prey to the same temptations, bringing hurt to themselves and others. They'd have periods of success but then cave and fall, destroying their credibility in the eyes of those around them. I'd hear those hurt or disappointed by them utter the words, They’ll never change. It wasn't always about those being tempted by something. Sometimes, it would be those who boldly declared the new goals and disciplines they were launching into, only to quickly abandon them and crawl back into their rut, discontented with themselves. Do you know anyone like that? Have you ever been that person? Are you now? When I was a young man living without Jesus, I was that person.No one wants to live in ruts, whether it's sin or simply stagnancy and a lack of personal growth. People are happiest when they experience personal development that leads to good and godly changes. Sometimes, the effort it takes to make those changes seems difficult to impossible, and yet God is calling to you regarding them. I have been through more changes than I can recall, and I don't remember any of them being easy. I came out of alcoholism and addiction. I came out of being financially irresponsible. I came out of being less than a desirable husband, a sarcastic person, a guy with an unstructured life, and on and on. Each of those required significant changes in my heart, mind, and actions, and felt like I was attempting the impossible each time. And the devil was right there at all times to confirm it. Yet, they were things I felt God was leading me to make changes in.Over time, God led me to make changes regarding my livelihood and income. They led to me starting businesses, inventing, increasing my education, as well as becoming a leader, then a Pastor, running long-distance running and marathons, and much more. This was all over time, but it all represented growth and change. And none of it was easy! But it was incredibly rewarding! Those who knew me most of my life would say, "Who are you? When happened to you? I've never known you to be this person!" And that is precisely why God wants change for us!
God's Word says He makes us "new creatures in Christ... the old is gone, and the new has come." Isaiah 43:19 (NIV) says, "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."
Did you notice those words "making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland"? They indicated moving from a less-than-desirable place to a better place with the supernatural help of God. When you read about that in the Bible, you'll always find it was God's grace and man's effort that brought about these changes! And that is what He wants for you! Mankind’s only hope for real and lasting change is through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the only enabler and helper of real and lasting change. Without the Holy Spirit's help, you won’t experience the good and lasting changes that God wants for you—the help that leads you into a closer walk with Him and in the plan of God for your life. People want to grow, mature, and experience promotion and success. They want to prosper. Every ounce of those things represents change! And so you don't want the devil, others, or your own mirror to speak back saying, You'll never change.
Over the years, I have learned the value of having quiet time. They are atmospheres I create where there are no distractions—no phones, television, computers, people, anything but quiet where I can be still before the Lord and talk and pray with Him. The only two things that will be with me are my Bible and a journal or something to write down thoughts that I know the Lord is speaking to me. This is a critical daily need and discipline that Jesus taught and mentored before us. We see this in Luke 5:16 (NIV) "But Jesus often withdrew to lonely (solitary) places and prayed."
I create this kind of atmosphere in my life on a daily basis. I won't create a box of telling you for how long, or where, or what time of day. Each of our lives has different demands, and those demands change in different seasons of our lives. You have to create and/or adapt those times when you know you can make them work. What I will tell you is that I create this quiet time with the Lord so that I can pray and hear from Him through His Word. These times are critical to my life. I use them to reflect honestly and sincerely before the Lord about how I am doing in Him. I am going to always see shortcomings in my life. But I don’t beat myself up. They are simply the needed changes that I will conquer over time with God's help. But, I do try to sincerely evaluate what is good and what is not good in my life that needs change. It's also where I ask and pray that God give and refresh me with His strength in all my current goals or assignments from Him.Why do I do this daily? I do this because our spiritual maturity is a daily and life-long effort and process that God highly values and desires for us. He wants to mentor us as the perfect Father! Maturity and promotion go hand in hand and God wants both for us. And so, God's plan is continuous methodical change. I'll share more on this in Part Two in my next post!
