5:162 – Do people really change?

#faithbites #faithjourney people

Intro

Today I was cleaning out our guest bedroom. This consisted of going through everything on the bookshelf, throwing stuff out, and moving it around. One of the things I found was a binder called “The IC Years” dated 1995-1999. It was a binder my dad made of all the emails I sent him during my four years at school. I knew about it and know most of it was forwards. What I didn’t realize was there was a letter included he wrote from the summer of 1995 to the admissions office at Illinois College. I sat down and read it. It was all about me and my character. The freaky thing was it is spot on then and now. It could have been written today. As much as I thought I’ve changed over the past 27 years, I haven’t. When I talked to my best friend, he said I haven’t changed but have grown more into who I am. Lots of things to think about. Do people really change over time?

Questions

• Have you changed over your life?
• Have you changed over your life? (Yes, I asked this twice. Really think about it).
• Is it a change or are you becoming who God wants you to be?

Scripture

• 2 Corinthians 5:17 – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
• 2 Peter 3:9 – The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
• Hebrews 13:8 – Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
• 1 Corinthians 6:11 – And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Reflection

We know that Jesus never changes. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He loves us fully, totally, and completely. Nothing we will do will change that. We also know that when we accept Jesus we change and the past is gone. For me, I wonder if I’ve always had Christ in my heart but didn’t know it as I don’t think I’ve changed over the years. My soul, the part that God made, is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. I’ve grown in nuance and understanding but my core hasn’t changed.

As we close, remember God made you who you are. You can’t change that. He is also forgiving and loving. God doesn’t want anyone to perish but to follow him and come to him when you are ready. He is our all-loving father.

Prayer

Lord God, thank you for that note from my dad. It helps me keep him alive. It also helps me understand who I was and who I am now. It’s crazy but what I needed. Lord, help us to know that while the core of us won’t change, you will help us become what you want us to. In your name, we pray, Amen.