Why is Change So Hard?

I remember being at a church meeting where everyone was discussing which instruments should be on the stage at the church. Some passionately argued that piano and organ were the only acceptable instruments in the church. Others said that we need instruments like drums and electric guitars to be more relevant.

People pleaded their cases with passion, emotion, and a variety of vantage points. This was in a church, so of course people were using lots of Bible verses to back their point as well.

I remember looking at the faces of some of the people who were later on in their years, and this wasn't just a matter of opinion, this was emotional, this was incredibly important to them.

After the discussion had gone on for a while, an older man stood up to speak. He said, "You know it's funny to me, that we are having an argument, saying that the piano and the organ are the only instruments God desires in His church. I find this odd, because it was not many years ago, that a piano was found mainly in the bars, and the organ was found mainly in the theaters. Neither of these places are establishments any self-respecting Christian would have found themselves in."

His point hit to the heart of each person there. Jesus didn't have a piano or an organ. He didn't have a drum set or an electric guitar either.

People were passionate about their stance, not because of the importance biblically. They were passionate about their stance because of the importance personally.

They had an expectation of what was supposed to be in the church, and the idea of deviating from that norm, was too much for them to bear.

Change is hard.

I think sometimes we fall into the trap of believing God's primary desire, is for us to be comfortable. That simply is not the case. In fact, we are called to walk through life depending on our faith, not depending on our comfort.

Hebrews 11:8 says, "It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going." 

God called Abraham to follow Him, even though Abraham didn't know what might happen along the way. God didn't provide Abraham with comfort for his journey, God provided Abraham with faith for his journey.

So what changes are you facing? What part of your life is changing faster than you are comfortable with? What events have occurred in your life to throw you off track?

Allow your faith to be what carries you through. Faith can move mountains and calm seas.

Our faith is powerful, not our comfort.