We are grateful to wake up this morning to the sun shining after a day and evening of stormy weather. I don’t know how many times the tornado warning siren sounded last evening but it was several. Camille and I hunkered-down outside on our patio as we enjoyed the rain and watched the clouds. We have lived around tornados for most of our lives so last night wasn’t something we hadn’t experienced We did have a plan in case we needed to seek cover but by and large, it was just a stormy evening.
One thing I noticed as we were sitting outside and watching the intensity of the rain was how it was causing the beautiful petals of the tulip tree to quickly fall. The picture here is of the ground below that tree and it how it looks like a flower girl circled it a few times and eventually dropped her basket of petals! This phenomenon kind of bummed me out just a little. When we left a couple of weeks ago for a few days off that tree hadn’t yet bloomed. When we came back from the trip it had exploded in colorful blooms. Now, most are gone and coming in behind the flowers are a lush, green growth of leaves.
I mentioned that I was bummed out for a little bit (actually, I am over it!). I’m over it because while I was mourning the loss of petals, I noticed the bursting forth of a newly planted peony plant and tulips that are exploding with color. Also, the redbud tree is going crazy with color. And as I looked further around I noticed other varieties of plants that are still very much in waiting for their “color” to immerge. I was then reminded of a reality that humans find difficult to accept in spite example after example from God’s good world reinforcing. The reality is that everything is changing. We have been taught to believe in something called the “status quo”. Status Quo is defined as “the existing state of affairs” or the way things currently exist. It is a myth because it fails to accept the harsh reality that everything in life is moving in some form or fashion.
It really is foolish to fight against these established patterns God has given us but nevertheless, many will still try. The better way of navigating life in God’s good world is not to fight or deny the reality of change but instead celebrate it by watching and expecting it. Knowing that it is inevitable, that things in this world will change should cause us to see it with wise eyes. Some believe that since it is inevitable that life will progress or change, then everything that comes next is better. This belief has permeated our culture for decades and frankly it is the reason that many others who clearly can see it isn’t true long for something of what they believe is the status quo. To be clear, the way things change in God’s good world can and are influenced by the devil. He is still doing his best to destroy and diminish God’s creation.
Another illustration from the parsonage might help: My yard is about 1/2 good grass and 1/2 weeds. There are 3 things I know:
- The yard will not just remain the way it is.
- If I do nothing the change I am 100% certain that will follow is more and more weeds!
- With effort from me, the yard can become virtually weed-free but even then, I must be prepared to tackle the occasional rogue weed because nothing remains as it is (see #1).
While these principles are true in the larger world, they are certainly true in the relationships, workplace environments and certainly also in the Church. Managing change is a skill we would all be wise to undertake and sharpen because change is inevitable but not all change is beneficial. It takes wisdom and grounding in the Word of God to safely navigate the inevitable changes. The God who created this world is eager to share His wisdom with us but like everything else, it will require us to change. But since we are already changing anyway, maybe we could intensify the seeking and applying of His wisdom instead of the normal choices that have left us frustrated. I look forward to sharing the journey with you as we adjust to the realities of the world God has given us and celebrate Him all the while!
Keith says
This also reminds me of we are like seeds planted, that the the seed has to die to become new and grow new life. Relates so much to me being a Christian. Side note: our wtva meteorologist is from Kansas. 🙂
TonyThornton says
Thanks, Keith! There are indeed many similarities!