Last night we had a “Dinner with the Pastor” at our Pinnacle Hills location…God moved and we had 51 additions to our church last night!  Out of these 51 decisions, I was able to lead several of them to Christ via the presentation made.  Hallelujah!  God is good.  Our staff team did a great job assembling guests who had visited that campus for a number of weeks or months, asking them to a time with me to share about the church as they considered us in their spiritual journey. 

This reminds us how time has changed so many things not only in our personal life, but in so many things.  Who would have thought 10 years ago a venue like this could have such an impact, providing an additional opportunity to meet Christ as well as enter into a relationship with our church.  It reminds me of the need for all of us to be willing to change.  One of the great things that really sets aside our church at both locations is the willingness to change.  This is why we even have a second location. 

Last year I was asked to do the major message for the Annual Meeting of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention.  I shared a message that God had placed upon my heart about the need for change.  The message was entitled, “This Ain’t Your Granny’s Convention Anymore.”  The reason I spoke on this topic was that a committee had been appointed by our convention that was bringing recommendations a year later on ways our convention could serve churches more effectively in their mission of reaching the world, of which I commended all parties for a willingness to study and change. We need to preserve the great things of tradition in our churches or businesses or even ministries; however, we must be willing to change on matters that need change.  God honors flexibility before Him, willingness before Him, and innovation before Him.  No one is more creative than God Himself.  At times we expect different results in life, never changing any of our processes.  I believe one has called this, “insanity,” doing the same things again and again, expecting different results.

There is not one of us that does not need to change some areas of life, not for change sake because that is immaturity, but for purpose.  God wants purpose to prevail in all of our lives.  One of the great books of all time was written by a friend of mine, Rick Warren.  When he penned the pages of “The Purpose-Driven Life,” God honored it above measure.  People from all walks of life read the challenges on those pages.  I have read it twice and still go back to it periodically.

God is in the changing business and surely I am glad for it!  He changed me and still changes me…and I need it.  My daily desire is to be more like Him.  This involves change.  He changes stuff we do not want changed.  He rearranges the furniture of our lives that we are used to.  Yet, I have never been through anything in my life that God Himself has initiated and brought the change that has resulted in less than God’s best for me. 

I am confident this is true for most of us in life.  What is it in your life, what is it about you that God may want to alter, transition, or change?  Have you been stubborn, unwilling, or yes, even rebellious?  Surrender to Him completely.  Absolute surrender to God attracts Him to you wholeheartedly.  Wow!  I surrender…will you?

Just think, if I had not had that dinner last night, been willing to alter or change or my church would have not been willing…thank you Lord Jesus, for teaching me many years ago the power that comes, the blessing that flows, when we are just willing to get outside of the lines and change.

May God do that in your life, your business, your church, your family, and your stuff today.  Remember, God’s best awaits you on the other side of change.