Corners

Life sometimes feels like a series of surprises. We walk forward, turn the corner, and see something unexpected. My Caribbean cruise ended up in Newport, Rhode Island to avoid a hurricane. Sarah Palin is John McCain's running mate. The government now owns and runs Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Unrelated to all this is the local news that Goodwill Church's building project is now funded. Hindsight sees the logic and even the predictability of changes, both in the news and in our personal lives, but living through them is always surprising. Who knows what's around the next corner? Whatever changes come can be described factually. The surprise comes in how they feel. Change is emotional. When Jesus was telling his disciples about his upcoming death, and it was days away instead of off in the future, it seems like they balked emotionally. It was supposed to be good news. He was going to "prepare a place" for us (John 14), but the feel of it was confusing. For many of us, navigating the emotions tied to change is tough. It doesn't matter if the changes are good or bad. The dialogs in John 14 and in other parts of the gospels give us clues as to how to deal with change emotionally. The disciples asked Jesus questions. We can do the same. If you struggle with change today, ask Jesus about it. With an open Bible in front of you, listen for the voice of God in the Word of God. In John 14, Jesus said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled." Change, good and bad, troubles our hearts. God knows it and comforts us with His Word.