Change can be beautiful, difficult, and confusing all at the same time. We all experience change on a regular basis regardless of our awareness of it. Even as we pass now from fall into winter we feel the change in the air. The cool air is becoming frigid with the quick approach of winter. While some of us no doubt look forward to the beautiful winter snow and the joyful Christmas season, we simultaneously bemoan the fact of black ice, hazardous road conditions, and difficulties we will have to navigate. Change brings about beautiful, difficult, and confusing moments.

Recently, my wife and I had the blessing of bringing a son into the world. This event caused a great deal of change in both of our lives. While it was beautiful to have this gift of new life added to our family the change also brought about great difficulty and confusion. In the first couple of weeks, we received little to no sleep (my wife less than me) as our little one was underweight and faced jaundice. We were confused about a number of things initially (and still are to some extent)! Though these changes were difficult we wouldn’t exchange it for anything. The change that occurred brought about new life and joy into our family. Though the pain and confusion were certainly uncomfortable it was a necessary part of God’s plan for us and we wouldn’t change it anything.  Change brings about beautiful, difficult, and confusing moments.

As we consider change, we understand that many are not endeared to change at all.  After all, most change is hard and downright uncomfortable! But as we consider change from a biblical perspective we understand that it is necessary and expected of Christians.  The work that God is doing in His children is changing them into the image of His Son Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). As a result, we can be assured that change will come into our lives whether or not we want it! God is working to change His children to be more like Jesus. This reality and truth is beautiful and life-giving! For the more we become like Jesus the more life, joy, and peace we possess as we become what we were intended to be in the beginning.

With this broader picture in mind, we can rejoice that God uses these changes and uncomfortable moments to make us more like Jesus. This is one reason why James says to “count it all joy when you meet trials of various kinds for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” James 1:2-4. As believers, we must learn to view change and trials with eyes of faith knowing that God is using these moments to sanctify us. Though often uncomfortable and confusing now, we can rejoice in the beautiful work that God is doing in each of us.