Change can be scary. And yet, it can be exciting. I think back to five years ago, when I was asked by the leadership of Healthkeeperz to consider coming on board the Healthkeeperz team as the corporate chaplain. I remember that I was both anxious and excited.
The idea of stepping into “marketplace ministry” had certainly been nice conversation material, since when you only talk or dream about something, you can often only imagine all the positive aspects of what you envision. And although the last five years have been filled with exciting times at HealthKeeperz, they have not come without some challenges and, indeed, scary moments.
I recently reminded some friends that acting in faith or trusting God to move forward into a situation does not mean that we will not be fearful or afraid. As a matter of fact, I am confident that the reason we are told so many times in the Bible, “do not be afraid,” or “do not fear,” is because we are afraid and often do become fearful. This gentle advice comes just as we’re told to believe, because we all struggle with unbelief. It’s part of being human, and part of being a child of God.
Today, and every day, I’m still a little scared and very excited. Why, after five years, is it not different for me, you may ask? Well that’s because life is hard-wired to change. And God has hard-wired us to change, to adapt. And since each day is a new day and has its own unique challenges and is filled with fresh new excitements, then I need to be able to go with the flow. And that flow is ever-changing. And that can be scary and exciting all at the same time.
Allow me to clarify. When I say that I’m a little scared, what I mean is that it’s the type of scared you feel when you are about to ride that new rollercoaster that free-falls 100 feet in the fourth turn. You have no idea what to expect, but you know two things are for sure: first, you wouldn’t miss this chance for anything, and second,
you know that it just might feel like it was the ride of your life once you’ve made it to the other side.
And when I say that I’m excited, I mean that I’m eager to enjoy all the ways that God will give me Himself as He unfolds new mercies, moment by moment, each day. Listen to what King Solomon wrote in the book of Lamentations 3:22-23.
22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
You see, life is not like the assembly line, where you install the same cog or sprocket 100 times a day, five days a week. Even if you work on the assembly line performing such tasks, each day is a new day. Yes, each new day has its challenges, but my friend, our heavenly Father is the one who is supervising our day. The most supreme challenge is only designed to cause us to supremely trust Him. The greatest joy that we could experience on any given day is designed to lead us to experience our greatest joys in Him.
So, in 2020, remember that every day is “the day that the Lord has made.” Rejoice and be glad in it. “Seize the day.” He has given it to you that He might give you Himself afresh. Let the challenges come! And remind yourself that God is faithful to His people. The mountains of challenge will only come to serve as stepping stones in the exciting walk of change.
For the glory of God and the good of His people.
Yours In Christ,
Chaplain James Chavis