Different Kinds of Change
By
Lexi Cole Ellis
“For everything there is a
season, and a time for every matter under heaven.”
Ecclesiastes
3:1 (ESV)
Recently, my husband
and I went through a change that was 100% of our own choosing. Interestingly
enough, I found myself marveling at this “different type of change.” In the
past, when I had thought of change, I envisioned change that blindsides us…a
job loss, an unexpected relationship ending…a death of a loved one. But this
particular change was one we chose to enter.
As I reflected on how
different it felt, I found a part in my journal where I took notes on the
speaker from Oakwood’s women’s conference, Navigate, this past spring. In
Katy’s talk, “Tides of Change,” she identified two types of changes.[1] The
first was pictured as a storm. This is sudden or unexpected change that seems
to come out of nowhere and blindsides us. After sharing an example from her own
life, Katy used the story in Scripture “Jesus Calming the Sea” as an example.
Here the disciples are in a boat with Jesus and a storm comes out of nowhere
and they are afraid for their lives. Unfortunately, their cry out to Jesus is
not one of faith but rather one of “don’t you even care?” (Mark 4:35-41)
The second type of
change - - the chosen change - - Katy called a summons. Here, the change is one
where we choose to enter and receive. After sharing another part of her life
where this applied, Katy used the “Woman at the Well” story in Scripture. Here,
despite sin in her life, Jesus presents a women with the forgiveness and grace
that comes with the gospel and she makes the choice to leave behind her old
life. Her testimony leads to many to be saved (John 4).
Isn’t it interesting
that often our response is different…based on the type of change we experience?
For me, it was much easier trusting God’s timing and planning when it was a
summons change. As I reflected on the last time we went through a big change, I
would identify it more as a storm. Though I’d love to say I was an example of
clinging to God’s promises and faithfulness, I confess I often chose to mope
about the change rather than embrace God’s new timing and revelations for my
life.
Whatever the type, we
are called to cling to God…to trust Him and His timing. We must surrender our
anxiety and intentionally choose peace, whether our upcoming change is a storm
or a summons.
GOING DEEPER:
1. Reflect
on the recent or upcoming changes in your life. Have they been/are they storms
or summons? Take time to intentionally choose what your response will be…regardless
of what type of change it is.
FURTHER READING:
[1] “Navigate: Tides of
Change, Harbors of Hope.” March 21, 2015. Katy J.
Lexi
is married to Andrew and has a puppy named Calvin. She teaches sixth grade,
serves with Children’s Ministries at Oakwood and is the Fresh Start
Coordinator.
