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Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes
I have always found it interesting that though the total focus of the Old Testament was the coming Messiah, He showed up saying, "it is expedient for you that I go away". For two thousand years all the prophets prophesied His coming. Every week at synagogue it was He of whom they spoke. Every Hebrew child was taught to look for his appearing. And then after all the build up Jesus came on the scene, ministered a very short three and one half years and went back to the Father. Wow!
However, in that short span of time many wonderful things happened. Healings, miracles and salvation were a daily occurrence. The disciples quickly developed a deep and very strong bond with the man, Jesus. You can imagine their sadness and confusion when he said to them," It is expedient for you that I go away".
But there was a reason for Jesus going off the scene. The Holy Spirit was going to come and live in each and every one of them. But they couldn't really see that right then. All they knew was that the One they had followed, trusted in and loved was leaving. Several stories show this reluctance to let Jesus go. Peter, fresh from the big-headed experience of having Jesus calling him the rock and applauding his revelation, is rebuked and actually called satan! Why? Well, because Peter was trying to keep Jesus in the earth and Jesus was getting ready to leave.
After the resurrection Mary reached out for Jesus in the garden. He responded by saying, "Don't touch me Mary". What the original language actually says is "Don't hold me". What Jesus was saying was don't try to keep me here or keep me in the form you recognize. I have changed. Something greater is coming. In other words they were going to do greater works because he was giving them something greater than just Him walking along beside them. He was giving them His Spirit inside of them!
Letting go of Jesus was probably the hardest thing they had ever done in their lives. They had no idea what to expect after He left. They had no way of knowing it would be the greatest union between God and man since He bent down and breathed into Adam's nostrils. That knowledge would come later but right now all they knew was that their Master was leaving.
Of course we all know the story. After the day of Pentecost all heaven broke loose in the early Church and a move of God began that still stands today. So clearly in retrospect Jesus knew what He was talking about. "It is expedient for you that I go away" Again...Wow!
I have meditated on this for several weeks. "It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away the comforter cannot come." Jesus was saying to them that as powerful as He was he was actually hindering them by staying among them. Once again...Wow!
Okay, to the point. It seems to me this is a time of great change. Change is difficult. Change is unsettling. Change is scary. But change is necessary. It is how we grow. It is how we learn. It is how we become the creature God created us to be.
When you look at our bible heroes you can see that their lives were like a giant roller coaster ride! Just about the time they got settled in a place God would pull the straw out of their nest and say "head em' up- move em' out! We have the luxury of reading their entire adventure in a few pages. But you know they walked out some lonely and frightening days following the "still, small voice" of their God before they became the men and women we have come to admire.
But do you know what God knew? It was expedient to them that one chapter of their lives be over so they could experience something new that would take them closer to their destiny. I actually want to say wow again...but I won't!
Let's look at where you are right now. How are things? Hunky-Dorey? Peachy Keen? Or are you like most of God's people... going ninety miles an hour down the back side of the world's tallest roller coaster! You may be in your own comfort zone. It may be difficult for you to even think about letting go and striking out to new horizons. But I want you to consider this. Maybe it is expedient for you that your current situation goes away so your destiny can come. **WARNING** I am not saying to get up tomorrow morning and go crazy, quit your job, file for divorce and get a tattoo. But I am mainly speaking to those of you who feel change being forced upon you right now. Listen to this.
You have been fired... maybe..."it is expedient for you that this job go away or the best job you have ever had cannot come" The home or apartment you have been living in is being sold from under you... maybe..."it is expedient that it go away or you cannot get the home of your dreams". There are many other scenarios. Put yours in this equation. Say it... It is expedient for me that ______ go away or _______ cannot come to me. Say it until it gets in your spirit. Believe it in your heart and it will become a reality. I agree with now for that outcome!
Ok, in closing let's go back to the roller coaster. There are two ways to handle this ride called change. One: clinch your teeth, close your eyes, scream to the top of your lungs, "what was I thinking?" and "I will NEVER do this again!" Two: Throw both hands in the air, yell with delight and enjoy the ride! I am sorry but I just have to say it one more time...Wow!
P.S. Thanks to my friend Bishop Jim Swilley for the seed and of course I lifted the title of this article from an old David Bowie song. All right you on the roller coaster... throw up your hands and sing it with me now....Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch- Changes!
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