Begging for Change

It's a common sight. Whether you're driving into the Walmart parking lot or taking a light stroll downtown, it's not a surprising event to be stopped by a slovenly looking someone with a sign. Sometimes our first reaction is "OH gosh... not again." Our hesitation speaks volumes to our callousness due to the overabuse of people's charity. They go by many names, but I prefer just to call them "poor people."

They're the people on the fringes of society. And why? What caused them to take a chute right down to the bottom rung of society's ladder? Some are just out of luck, victims of circumstance. Others made poor choices; and still others actually choose to be poor... that's a whole other conversation in and of itself... But whatever the reasons are that brought them to this point, it's at this point where all they can do is beg for change. 

Jumping point! So, how differently would we look at these "poor people" if we were in their shoes? Often times, we ARE! We don't beg for the monetary change. We sometimes beg for change in someone's behavior, leadership style, attitude, perception, action, or emotions. How desperate have we gotten because we felt there was no hope for the continuation of life until something changed?


When we beg for change, we cannot complain about what we get. No "poor person" complains, "HEY! You didn't give me enough!" That'd be ridiculous. No, beggars cannot be choosers. We accept change as it happens. Sometimes, change isn't necessarily beneficial... or, at least, it doesn't immediately appear that way. 


I've had some VERY recent change happen in my life. Job related things that you don't care to hear, I'm sure. But I've been begging for change for a while now. These changes didn't happen according to my time-line and the actual circumstances are not exactly ideal, but I accept it. 


I don't normally share scripture on this blog (that's more of a facebook thing), but one passage that people often quote when bad things happen is Romans 8:28. This has brought me significant comfort in the past. It says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Change isn't always 100% pallatable when it happens, but God works it all out for good if we would just trust.


But what helped me more this week with these changes and the emotional frustrations attached to them was this verse hiding just before the more commonly quoted passage I just shared - "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans." Romans 8:26

I'm experiencing a completely new situation in which I have no idea how to proceed or guage my expectations off of. But I know that in my frustration that God is pouring out his spirit on my behalf and praying for me. That's comforting. 


I've decided that I'm going to perceive this change in the way that I profess everyone should. This is an opportunity. This isn't the end of Jonathan David, this isn't the final chapter. While it's sad that this chapter is ending THIS way, the potential and amazing promise in the blank pages that lie ahead is exhiliarating! I'll tread forward taking advantage of every good thing that God puts in my path. Change, even detrimental change, can be worked out to create a bright and awesome future.


What changes have YOU been through that you initially thought were BAD but turned out quite nicely?