Do you ever have those sermons or messages where you feel like God spoke directly to the pastor and said, “I have a child in that audience that needs to hear this today?” Well on Sunday, I was that child. I needed this message on change.
I always look at the notes beforehand to see what we will talk about Sunday, and as I looked over them, I already started to feel all the feelings well up in my heart. This week my kids went back to school, and specifically my daughter started middle school. I always have a hard time when they go back, just because of how much our time together changes and how my schedule is now revolving around pickups and drop offs - instead of lazy summer days. But this year was different. It brought an unbelievable wave of emotions. I think because starting middle school is almost like saying goodbye to the childhood she knew. She is starting to move towards teenage years and adulthood…and I’m not ready.
It was comforting to hear on Sunday that most of us resist change, and most of us aren’t ready for change when it comes. As I sat there in my seat resisting my own change, I thought of all of you out there who are also feeling the same way I feel. I also loved the reminder that there is Jesus, who is our “constant”…our great God, who is never surprised by change and He never leaves our side in the middle of it.
When I feel like life is extra shaky, and I’m on uneven ground, I often come back to this song. Allow me to share some of the lyrics with you:
“When the storm rolls in and I can't see out...
When the waves crash hard and I fall back down...
When I think that I've reached my ceiling
I know the scars only mean that I'm healing
Always by my side, even through my doubts
You're constant…”
- Constant, Maverick City Music
There is really no stopping the waves that come. And there is no “control” over these outside forces like Pastor Jason shared with us on Sunday.
It was so relatable to think of Peter, who tried to control with his devoutness to Christ. How many times have I tried to grasp at the same false sense of control, only to realize that God holds the world in His hands? Peter is an example of failure that I’m grateful to have, because I know I have failed in the same way over and over again.
On the way to middle school this morning my daughter asked, “What if I fail one of my classes or get a really bad grade?” I was immediately reminded of the message Sunday, and with a smile I said, “Well, if you fail, it’s not really a failure if you learn from it.”
As you face your own changes, big or small, I am sure there is a small part of you that worries about failure. I know I do. But what if we reframed it to include the grace of our Savior? What if we just moved forward, even after we fail, into deeper intimacy with Christ?
He is teaching us along the way, we can trust Him. Let’s be open to hearing His voice in the process. Who knows what He will reveal. And in the meantime, let’s rest in His loving arms, knowing that He really does hold the world together so very well.
I always look at the notes beforehand to see what we will talk about Sunday, and as I looked over them, I already started to feel all the feelings well up in my heart. This week my kids went back to school, and specifically my daughter started middle school. I always have a hard time when they go back, just because of how much our time together changes and how my schedule is now revolving around pickups and drop offs - instead of lazy summer days. But this year was different. It brought an unbelievable wave of emotions. I think because starting middle school is almost like saying goodbye to the childhood she knew. She is starting to move towards teenage years and adulthood…and I’m not ready.
It was comforting to hear on Sunday that most of us resist change, and most of us aren’t ready for change when it comes. As I sat there in my seat resisting my own change, I thought of all of you out there who are also feeling the same way I feel. I also loved the reminder that there is Jesus, who is our “constant”…our great God, who is never surprised by change and He never leaves our side in the middle of it.
When I feel like life is extra shaky, and I’m on uneven ground, I often come back to this song. Allow me to share some of the lyrics with you:
“When the storm rolls in and I can't see out...
When the waves crash hard and I fall back down...
When I think that I've reached my ceiling
I know the scars only mean that I'm healing
Always by my side, even through my doubts
You're constant…”
- Constant, Maverick City Music
There is really no stopping the waves that come. And there is no “control” over these outside forces like Pastor Jason shared with us on Sunday.
It was so relatable to think of Peter, who tried to control with his devoutness to Christ. How many times have I tried to grasp at the same false sense of control, only to realize that God holds the world in His hands? Peter is an example of failure that I’m grateful to have, because I know I have failed in the same way over and over again.
On the way to middle school this morning my daughter asked, “What if I fail one of my classes or get a really bad grade?” I was immediately reminded of the message Sunday, and with a smile I said, “Well, if you fail, it’s not really a failure if you learn from it.”
As you face your own changes, big or small, I am sure there is a small part of you that worries about failure. I know I do. But what if we reframed it to include the grace of our Savior? What if we just moved forward, even after we fail, into deeper intimacy with Christ?
He is teaching us along the way, we can trust Him. Let’s be open to hearing His voice in the process. Who knows what He will reveal. And in the meantime, let’s rest in His loving arms, knowing that He really does hold the world together so very well.
Erika Pizzo
Erika is an author of various books on the topics of faith, mental health, and victory in Christ. Erika lives with her husband, daughter, son, and their fluffy poodle in sunny Southern California. Her two favorite things are a visit to the beach and a chai latte in hand.