SFNAZ Devotional 10/13/2022

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was with God in the beginning.

John 1:1-2 (NIV)

We live a life full of change, some good and some bad. The seasons change. I love that we live in an area that enjoys the experience of all four seasons. I am enjoying the crisp cool morning and evenings and the warm afternoons. The leaves move through their process of change yet my flowers still look great.  Before we know it there will be snow on the ground. I look forward to these changes.

Our kids change. They grow up and become more independent. As a parent our job is to raise our kids to love Christ and equip them to go out and make disciples in the world.  Some days I wish I could freeze time in order to keep them at the ages they are (or were 4 years ago) when everyone was under my roof. This change is good and necessary but hard.

The church changes.  We all have seen this in our own church over the years. Change for good but none the less hard changes. Losing pastors and congregation members we love is never easy.  Some move on to other places and yet others have passed away. As I reminisce on the years I have been a part of this church body, Spokane First Church of the Nazarene, I have seen so many changes. Yet through all these changes I know that God is there. Always has been, always will be. The last few years in our own church body has been challenging at times. I know that daily I have been pushed and stretched in what I think my capabilities are.  But you know what? God is always there in each step!  He has been from the beginning!  He intimately knows the beginning, middle and end!  It is good but hard at times.

My challenge to you as the church changes in the next months to remember God is constant, He will not change! Pray how can you be used through this change. As a body of Christ if we all are willing to see how God can use us through these hard and exciting changes, we can do great things.  “Where two or more have gathered in my name, there I am with them.” Matthew 18:20.

Jordan