“You are the salt for everyone on earth. But if salt no longer tastes like salt, how can it make food salty? All it is good for is to be thrown out and walked on.” (Matthew 5:13 Contemporary English Version)
We recently changed from Splenda to Truvia as our preferred sugar substitute for our coffee at our house. Trust me, this is not an endorsement of the latter product over the former; just an example of a recent change, as minor as it might be to most people.
Now I am not writing without a purpose. You see, my reason today is to reveal something about change. Here we go! All of us experience change, in the form of both minor and major changes. The fact that today is a new day is a change from yesterday. Well, let’s stop looking at the changes we encounter as mere challenges, but rather let us major in looking at every change that we are presented with as a new opportunity. Change brings new opportunities.
In regard to the sugar substitute mentioned, like Splenda packets, Truvia packets have little sayings embossed on them. The first packet saying I saw, because of a change, was the opportunity to apply my operating principle, “Be careful what you say or do. I just might write about it.” Therefore, what the Truvia packet had to “say” is no exception and gets no exemption or immunity from the application of my operating principle.
That first packet I just referenced said, “To-Do: Connect, Smile, Encourage, Repeat.” The change gave me an opportunity! An opportunity? Yes! I was blessed with the opportunity to remind you to connect with others who need Jesus, connect with the saints in serving the Lord, smile often revealing that God has smiled on you and project through your smile the confidence that no matter what you are going through, God will see you through it, and when you come through, you will be better and/or more equipped than you were initially before the change. Encourage one another often, and especially in the assembly of the saints (including this Sunday). Encourage the spiritually blind to come to Jesus and gain sight. Repeat by your actions undeniable proof that you have been saved, evident by your love for the brothers and the sisters. And listen, every day you will have the opportunity to repeat all the things mentioned on the “To-Do” list on the Truvia packet, an admonishment opportunity introduced by a small change.
Regardless of the size of the change, the principle should be kept in mind: Change brings new opportunities!
So, make the most out of every opportunity that comes with a change of any type, including things we find joy in and even those unexpected, unavoidable, and unwanted changes that we all will face from time to time. Yet in all instances of change, stay God-conscious and Christ centered! Pray that the Holy Spirit helps you see the opportunity! Remember your helper! Remember who you are, my friend! Be blessed!
“You are the light for the whole world. A city built on top of a hill cannot be hidden, and no one lights a lamp and puts it under a clay pot. Instead, it is placed on a lampstand, where it can give light to everyone in the house. Make your light shine, so others will see the good you do and will praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 Contemporary English Version)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King