The Air Force provides a lot of training, very little of it on a volunteer basis. One of the trainings I took was in “Change Management.” It may have had a different, more military sounding name, something like “Non-linear Progression of Leadership Requirements” but I really don’t remember now. This training’s main point was that changes in an organization, be they large or small, are traumatic. Some people embrace change, some fight change, and some stand somewhere in the middle.
In Acts 2, we read about a dramatic change in the Kingdom of God. It is written in Acts 2:19-20 that there would be wonders and signs in Heaven, and on earth, there would be blood, fire, vapor, and smoke, the sun would be turned dark, and the moon would be turned to blood. All of that would happen before the great day of the Lord.
Peter was quoting from Joel 2:30-31 and told the people of Jerusalem, “This is that!” Just as the speaking in languages and the speaking of God’s mighty works (v.11) were the fulfillment of Joel 2, this description of darkness, blood, signs, and wonders were also being fulfilled at the same time! The high priests were no longer in charge of God’s Kingdom on earth. Jesus was. This change was a huge change! This was a great day! This was the great day of the Lord!
But change is tough. It is traumatic. Some people embraced the change and called on the name of the Lord (2:21) that very day. Some people fought the change and persecuted the church (Acts 3-28). Some people were in the middle and eventually called on the name of the Lord (Acts 3-today).
God still demands change today. There is no change in the government of God’s Kingdom now, but there is room for change in who governs your life. You might embrace it (and I hope you will), you might resist it (many people do), or you might be somewhere in the middle. Which one are you? God’s offer of salvation still stands. Will you take it?
If you want to call on the name of the Lord, won’t you sit down with me over an open Bible and study what God wants from us and for us? If you think that your life doesn’t need change or doesn’t need THIS change, won’t you sit down with me over an open Bible – you have nothing to lose and everything to gain! If you want to learn more about Jesus, won’t you sit down with me over that same open Bible and study what Scripture says about the Master?
Change is tough, but you don’t have to do it alone! Stop by on Sunday!
Photo by Ross Findon on Unsplash
