A “Then & Now” item on page 28 of the current Freddy Plus newspaper reads as follows..
“In 1946, scientists created ENIAC, one of the first computers. It was a 30-ton machine with 17,468 vacuum tubes, 70,000 resistors, and 10,000 capacitors. It occupied a 30 x 60 foot room. It was a calculator.”
Goodness! How things change as time moves along!
I also recall a line from the movie Shrek. ‘Donkey’ had been complaining, but Shrek exhorts, “Change is Good, Donkey.”
For Shrek, change involved significant personal transformation. New attitudes and behaviours became necessary, but after awhile they became easier, then automatic, and finally formative. Shrek himself had changed. Where once before stood a mean ogre, now stood a hero, one who married a princess!
This Sunday past I shared with our church family how the Lord has been clearly leading our decade faithful pastor away from serving as our chief shepherd. God has been directing him into change.
Now God does nothing “half-baked.” As God directs our pastor into change, so He directs us into change. Our change is not just “fallout” from our pastor’s change, but a change perfectly orchestrated by a Magnificent Conductor — like that momentary pause before the final “Hallelujah” of Handel’s Messiah. All making a balanced harmony, a more glorious impact.
Change can be scary—for our departing pastor, and for us. But God is faithful. He never leaves us… He always lovingly leads us…
What we sang in worship before receiving the news of our beloved pastor’s departure remains just as true now that we have received it.
I know who stands behind
Is always by my side
Jesus gives His Church a great commandment, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” (Matt. 22:37), a great commission, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…” (Matt. 28:19, 20a), and a great promise, “…surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”(Matt. 28:20b)
Change is Good, and none of us wants to be a donkey!
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle… (Ps. 32:8, 9)
More tomorrow…
Enjoy Handel’s “Hallelujah chorus” here. Listen for the pause… Rejoice!
thebrokenrunner 