Time for Change

Starting a new year is a perfect time to reflect on our current habits and traditions that are no longer serving us. A case in point is the timing of our Christmas meal. Having grown up having a Christmas Eve meal and enjoying leftovers on Christmas Day, this was familiar and traditional for me. Whereas my husband grew up either having a full Christmas day lunch or going out to a Restaurant for their meal. Because Church has always been a priority for me for Christmas Day, it seemed easier to continue with my Christmas Eve meal tradition with my family.  However, this year, we were invited to friends for their Christmas Lunch, which caused us to re-evaluate our tradition.  Discussing it with the family, we agreed it was time for a change. Going forward, we will prep the meal on Christmas Eve, and after Church, we will cook and enjoy a proper Christmas meal together, for the first time, and enjoy the leftovers on Boxing Day instead!  It is never too late to start a new tradition.

So often in life we continue doing things the same familiar way, because that’s how we have always done them, never questioning the reasons we do them.  Traditions are passed down from one generation to the next, never changing or evolving.  This year, let us take time to reflect on what areas in our lives need change, that are no longer working for us, and ask God too what He is calling us to change.

One thing I have learnt, is that if you want a different outcome, you need a different input.  In other words, without change, nothing changes. So let us stop doing the same thing the same way, just because that’s the easiest. Some things in life need to be shaken up to shift us out of our comfort zone.  We need to stop seeing change as something negative, but to embrace it for the positive impact it can have in our lives.

There are many changes God has been nudging me about, which I intend to set in motion.  Some are new, healthier choices which I will try to discipline myself with everyday until it becomes a habit. I have also chosen a friend who I have confessed my desire to change, who will be holding me accountable, which will motivate and encourage me to keep on track.

Some changes may seem difficult or even unsettling.  Yet, as Christians, we are assured that God is with us through every transition. One of the most powerful aspects of change is the way it draws us closer to God. In moments of uncertainty or struggle, we are often reminded of our dependence on Him. Change invites us to place our trust fully in God, knowing that He is always faithful.

Change isn't just for our own or our family’s benefit; but it serves a greater purpose of creating the life God desires for us. As we change things externally in our lives, we find that we too have changed inside.  A butterfly is a reminder that change can be beautiful.

So whatever changes we need to or intend to make this year, let us embrace them and push through every challenge to see them become a reality.  Let 2025 be a time for change— a year to let God renew us, transform us, and use us for His purposes. Let us trust God as we step boldly into the new and different things He has in store for us, as we obediently, and with discipline, make the necessary changes needed in our lives.  So that when 2026 comes about, we can look back with pride of what we have accomplished through change…

C'ing into 2024

As I paused to reflect on the start of 2024, I asked God to give me a word to carry into the blank pages of another year.  In an instant, a lot of 'C' words came flooding into my mind.  I had to smile as God knows how much I love alliteration, although I must admit I was not so keen at first on His choice of letter.  When I think of the reference to the C word, the dreaded Cancer word comes to mind.  However, I was reminded of the verse in Psalms 112:7 that we won’t need to fear bad news when our hearts are steadfast, trusting, and believing that God will carry us through the year, even if there is a diagnosis of cancer. 

CHANGE.  - We may have set many goals and resolutions in 2023 that never materialized because we didn’t make the necessary choices to effect the change. We know God never changes, but He does change our circumstances and there are some things God wants to help us change.  These are our attitude, our perspective, our behavior, our responses, and our habits.

CHOICES - To effect this change, we need to be making the right choices.  To choose is to decide.  Will we serve God or will we choose to serve man or self?  When we choose God, we are choosing life and a blessing.  As God’s chosen, let us choose what is right, what is pure, and what is pleasing to God.

CONFIDENCE – To be confident, is to have no doubts, fears, or uncertainty.  God calls us to have boldness in the abilities He has gifted us with. He wants us to be confident in our identity of knowing who we are in Christ and what that means.  He wants us to know that we are victors in every battle of life and lastly, God wants us to have a relationship with Him as our loving Father, to be bold enough to go to Him with confidence.

COMPASSION – To have compassion is to have a tenderness towards someone's suffering and misfortune. We express compassion with care and concern. God expects us to feel and be filled with compassion and be moved to act in doing the right thing, to see justice and mercy administered.

CLARITY – God calls us to write down our vision and goals.  I believe there is something powerful that happens in the spiritual realm when we write things down.  I also want to think clearly, speak clearly, write clearly, hear clearly, and see clearly.  Each night our goal should be to go to sleep with a clear conscience and to wake up each morning clear-minded.

CALM – We are called to give gentle answers and not fly off the handle every time someone pushes our buttons.  We need discernment to remain calm when the storms of life come and not react or respond with anger.

CHEERFUL  / CHARISMATIC – If you are a moody person like me, you will know the struggle of trying not to let our emotions rule our lives.  God calls us to be cheerful, not just because it is good for our health, but because it attracts others.

CONTROL – We need to relinquish our control over our lives and give it fully to God to rule and reign over every aspect of it. The only control we need to master is our self-control – over our tempers, over our words, over our eating, and our temptations.

COMMITTED – God calls us to not only be fully committed to Him but also to our goals and remain loyal in our relationships. We need to commit our plans and our ways to God daily, giving Him our all in everything we do.

CREATIVE – Last, but not least, we need to tap into our creative side.  I believe each of us is creative in one way or another.  Find a hobby that appeals to you and discover the creativity God has blessed you with. Creating is an outlet that brings our soul joy and is a lifetime treasure waiting to be discovered. 

So let us see into 2024 with these C words to live by, as signposts to help lead and motivate us each day.

God bless you all!