change.

I. Do. Not. Like. Change. Let me explain:

• My church changed its bulletin format. I don't like it. 
• It took me a week to get used to my new car. The first day of driving it, I decided I still liked my old car.  Not anymore of course.   
• I like to wash my clothes with the same laundry detergent, but I can't because I look for sales and Tide can be expensive.
• I dislike moving. Not just because of packing and stuff... we all hate that... but because of newness: new place. new people. new house set-up...
• I liked Facebook before the new, improved Facebook page.
• And, there are other things...

But, lately, I have been changing my mind about a lot of things... or maybe God has been changing it for me.  I have developed a change of mind about the American church.  I've developed more of a desire for God. I'm tired of being "mediocre". I want more out of my quiet time with Him... a deeper understanding of His word.  And, I've decided that change is a good thing.  I think if I had to move I'd be okay with it. Grumpy, yes, but still ok.  And only grumpy because I have to pack and unpack.  I'm ok with new people also. I'm ok with making new friends.  My worldview has really changed as well.  I'd like to thank my Dad for helping  to develop that change of mind.  I'm learning to love deeper thanks to Jesus.  I'm working on not being judgemental. Although I've wouldn't label myself "judgemental" but I've been that way towards people!  And I'm also learning that being humble, being non-judgemental, and loving people are really, really difficult things to do.  That is, if you do it the way God wants you to.  Thing is, I've been loving, but I haven't really loved people.  I think humbly and non-judgementally, but am I really acting that way?! Probably not.  The bottom line is this: I want to think like Jesus would think, act like Jesus would act, and initially have the character Jesus wants me to have. Its tough. Because when we are set free, we are not only commanded "not to" but we are commanded "to do". Colossians 3:5-14 says:

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

My goal this week: Meditate on this passage.  Not only am I supposed to "put off" things, but then I am commanded to "put on" new things.  Also in line for this week: Really dig into God's Word.  And love... love... love people!