"You Can Never Make Only One Change."

You Can Never Make Only One Change.  

Change here creates change there.-- Peter Steinke

Why is this such a surprise to us when something changes?  Shouldn't we expect that with one change comes another concomitant change?  Isaac Newton said it best, "For each and every action there is an equal and opposite reaction."  I am amazed over and over again how we fail to see each other's actions/reactions as a response to either our own or another's previous action.  We see it in families:  why are you acting that way?  (Because you said ______, or you did_______.)  We see it in the workplace, the neighborhood, and the church.  

Nothing happens in a vacuum. 

Reactions are most generally NOT random.  They are rooted in some experience that has shaped us even if for only the moment.  

The trouble with us sinful human beings is that we cannot see how our own actions affect the other.  We are too busy thinking about how we are being affected and what that means for our lives.  We get in the mode of thinking that everything is all about us. . . that "I" am all that matters.  So we react.  Then others react to our reactions.  And so goes the cycle without any thought about the action/reaction process that continues to plague us.  

What if we could settle down and sit with Christ for a bit?  What if we could close our eyes and sit still and offer it all to him who loves us most?  What if we could stop worrying about what we are missing out on, who's getting over on us, and focus instead on the peace that Christ gives us. . . the identity that is most important- how much we are loved by Jesus. . . how precious we are to our Savior.  

I know, I know. . . change causes anxiety!  I get that.  But change is a part of life, nothing stays static, not even if we white-knuckle it and try to force things to stay constant!  But dwelling on the pain of change doesn't propel us forward, it doesn't help us to grow or go deeper, it only holds us captive to something that no longer exists.  Our reality is that, as they say, the only constant in life is change.  Perhaps sitting with the One who never changes, who is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow, can provide us with the peace and security we long for.  

So, here's the thing:  when one change is made in your life- whether you willed it to happen or it happened to you- remember that more change is about to come.  That's not necessarily a bad thing; go with it, see what God might be up to.  Who knows?  There might be something really great about to happen!  Something life giving!  Something you never expected!  Something beyond your wildest imagination!  And don't worry about what everyone else thinks. . . they might change accordingly too.  (You can probably count on that!) All you need to know is that Christ is with you, he is your stability, your "constant" in an ever-changing world.  

Image credit:  seemslegit.com