Health = Change

Recently Shane Bishop (pastor of Christ UMC, Fairview Hts.) made the following post: “Healthy things grow. Growth produces change. Change brings discontinuity. How we deal with discontinuity is our most powerful Christian witness.” As I read that statement, two things rushed into my mind. First, Why do we all profess health yet resist change? I mean, in the natural order of things that statement is dead on…health leads to growth and growth leads to change…that is the way God planned it. But too often we claim to be healthy (people/families/churches/communities, whether we are or not) and we do not want to change…even to the point we sabatoge change…and that isn’t healthy! What’s that all about and isn’t that a powerful Christian witness? Secondly, I am not sure change always brings discontinuity…or that should be our mindset. There is always that potental, but to say always is more a statement on how we do not trust/follow the Holy Spirit than on our perception of reality. Now, I realize that is very similar to what Shane is saying, but let me add this. If we are in tune with the Holy Spirit we will not see change as resulting in discontinuity…in the Spirit we see change as the natural progression of God’s plan for our lives, our church, our families, our witness…as opportunity to glorify God. As I see it, health, growth, & change are all gifts from God. How we utilize them for His glory is our witness...and yes, it is powerful!