“No change.”
This diagnosis, when spoken by your physician, can be good news or bad news.
At my most recent visit to the retinal specialist, I received good news.
No change!
On paper, nothing has changed - there has been no further vision loss. In fact, there has been no significant change for years. This is good news and according to the specialist, this is a miracle!
But no significant change?
When given such amazing news, I don’t want to say anything to the contrary but I recognize the change and the loss of some sight as well as the millisecond it now takes for me to refocus my eyes in the right direction. Even though the doctor says there has been no change, something has shifted, something is different.
Don’t misread this, I am beyond thankful, grateful for the remaining vision I have - it defies science! But no change? Which is it- change or no change?
Of course, I am thinking.
For years I have been saying, “No matter the circumstances, no matter the price of gas or the cost of living, no matter the outrageous, horrible things we see on the news or experience in our families, no matter the unjust government systems, or who is placed as the president, no matter how uncomfortable we become, our task, as Christians, has not changed.”
But these things do matter.- they affect us. To say they are of no matter is not entirely true. In fact, to say the struggle is small would be flippant and callous. Change is hard and this is significant. The struggles are real. There are obstacles that are uncomfortable and it takes more of an effort to refocus. We can easily get caught up in the wisdom of man and the fear of what might come next.
But in it all; our job, our task, and our purpose, as Christ followers, has not changed.
I’m trying to get my heart, my emotions and my mind to focus, in the midst of the hard, to remember that He has intentionally placed and positioned us to speak a better word, to be His witness, according to His plans and purposes, to pass on His love, grace and mercy to a confused, angry, corrupt, hurting, lost world.
Things have changed, and the injustice, that we once only saw on the news, seems to be creeping right into our backyard. The symptoms and the effects of lostness have become more evident.
Something has shifted.
Something is different.
Civil liberties are being challenged.
Restrictions have been put in place.
Options have lessened.
Freedom is being tested.
The injustice that many have faced for decades, have now begun to emerge in our country in a way we have not seen in our lifetime. In the U.S., we have not, to this degree, had to walk this road of uncertainty - but many have.
Early Christians understood the task. We are given clear instructions in the New Testament, concerning how we are to speak. act and live when assaulted by lostness.
Paul understood his role. As a Christ follower, overwhelmed by the grace of God, he gave up his agenda for the cause of Christ.
“Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.” 1Corinthians 9:19-22
Jesus understood what was at stake. He understood both the diagnosis of lostness and the cure of forgiveness of sin. He, knowing the cost, chose to set aside his rights and privileges, He willingly positioned himself in an unjust, corrupt world, to save it.
Which is it- change or no change?
Good News.
Our task.
Our role.
What is at stake.
No change.
Lord, thank you for the privilege of being your follower and your witness. Help our eyes to refocus quickly, in the right direction, when there is a shift. Give us wisdom in this shifting. Remind us, in the midst of the confusion and change that you want to equip us to stay on task with your purposes inmind. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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