April 4, 2010 - David Skinner

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Here is the first devotion of the 40 that will be posted daily starting April 4th as apart of this worship series in the Refuge Worship service at Trinity UMC. We invite you to read, reflect, share, and comment. We hope you will find yourself being changed by the same love and grace of Jesus Christ that brought about the change in each of the lives that is shared in these 40 stories.

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April 4, 2010

When Andy asked me to write this I thought that I would come up with some awesome and insightful anecdote about where God brought amazing change in me; then I sat down to do it. I racked my brain to think of a time or place where change had occurred and drew a blank. Think about it a minute. Can you think of one point in time where you can say ‘That’s where I changed.’? If you are honest with yourself, most of us would have a tough time pinpointing a single spot. I struggled with this at first. It should have been an easy thing. Why was this giving me so much trouble? Then it hit me, it’s not so much a point in time, but a span of time.

Change is tough; it’s a process. Most times we abhor change. Change at work or, as is now recently appropriate, in church leadership often scares and divides us. It is fear of the unknown that makes us hate change so. Yet without change there can be no growth. In essence the question, where has God brought about change in me is really, where has God pushed me past my fear and helped me grow. When seen from that angle the answers become almost too numerous to count. I was scared when my ex-wife left me but going through that brought me back to desiring God. I was afraid, like a large number of people were, when our plant in Farmerville was going to close; however, that has ended well also. I was nervous about finding a new church and church family; now I have no doubt that I am better for having joined Trinity. The point is, no matter the situation, God can make change a great thing.

One thing in specific that has changed in the past couple of years is my relationship with God. For many years I talked at God but didn’t expect nor listen for a response. Then for six long years I treated God like a relative that you are fond of but don’t really talk to that often. Thing is God was trying to talk; I just didn’t want to listen. I was in control. I knew what was best for me, right? Right?!? Of course not. My ego had to die. I had to become humble. By little nudges, and maybe a few big ones, God brought me to the point I am now. There is still a ways to go I’m sure, but there is hope. My ears are open now; I am listening. That still small voice is becoming like thunder.

The happiest part in all this was learning that change is not something to fear or hate but something to embrace. In the end God; almighty, ruler of the universe, creator, provider, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent; will always work it for the best. Even though we often can’t see past our troubles, He works through those problems, or even blessings, to improve us all. So thank God for the pain and that He is powerful enough to get us past it and use it to mold us into representatives of His love to a world that desperately needs Him.

So go! Embrace the change that God has in store for you instead of despising it. Get excited and be flexible. Ready or not, change is coming to all. Listen to that voice that is growing inside you. The time has come to let God mold you in the way that only the ‘Master Craftsman’ can. Trust me; you’ll be glad you did.

James 1:2-5 (NIV)
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

David Skinner