Changes

 

But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as first fruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17

 
As a project manager, one of my roles at work is to help with change control and change management.  What this means in everyday conversation is that I help our team to recognize changes in the workflow that will be significant, uncomfortable or painful for end users with a new tool or technology.  We will have multiple conversations around this, how best to tell the end user that the change is coming, how to help them prepare for the change, why we are doing it and what we think will be easier and better for them in the future. Recently, it feels like everywhere I go there are changes – some feel good, exciting, easy to accept.  Others are more challenging.  I want to resist, fight, argue, prove that I am right.   

 
It has been interesting for me to listen to some of the current commentary about Nebraska athletics and our expectation for tradition.  From basketball losses at the beginning of 2017, coaching changes, play calling, a big traditional game the day after a holiday and even athletic director roles, people are calling for a return to traditions.  I have heard so many times, that’s just not how things are here, the leaders making decisions don’t know us and they don’t understand our traditions.


At work, when I hear things like “this is the way we have always done it” I instinctively want to reveal reasons that the new way is better.  With sports or even at church, I sometimes feel like I am on the traditionalist bandwagon.  I have begun to wonder, are we reaching for what is familiar because we are afraid of the unknown?  Not only afraid of failing, but fearful because we cannot see the good in what is being offered, only that it is different. 


As we proceed with new plans in youth ministry, worship and leadership I want us to remember this verse in Thessalonians that reminds us to hold God’s teachings and to allow them to strengthen and encourage us.  We need to remember that one of the jobs for everyone in a church community is to share God’s word in an effort to strengthen others.  We need to do this for all ages.  It cannot only be done by leaders, by those paid, elected or appointed but by each one of us.  As we question the abandonment of traditions we are familiar with at Eastridge, we all need to look at the opportunities that the changes present and know that if we, as a church, decide that some of those traditions are worthwhile and necessary to what we want our church to be, then we must make the effort and take action and find ways to share in the glory of Christ.

Prayer: Most holy God, Thank you for sharing your word with us.  Give us comfort as we struggle to accept the changes in our personal lives and communities.  Help us to trust that we can share your word with new generations and that we can strengthen one another by reflecting your love. 

 

 
Christi Moock