Change

I have a dear friend in my life who I have always admired. I had him come speak at my church one time. I was happy when he agreed to do so and was a bit surprised since this individual is very successful and busy. I remember picking him up at the airport and grinning from ear to ear as we talked.

Our time together was amazing. He allowed me to ask him deep questions about his life, his career, mistakes, decisions, and his family. I realized in that moment that even in his 80s he was still very much growing in his walk with Christ. 

He had something happen to one of his children that would bring any parent to their knees. As we talked about those circumstances, he said something that I will not forget easily: “I used to pray for my situation to change, but in reality, all that God needed to change was me. When I realized that, it changed everything.”

I have thought about those words quite a bit and have personalized those words often in my own life: “All that God needs to change is me, and that can change everything.” All we need to do is let God change us! All we need to do is allow God the freedom to do His holy work in our life.

So, how are you doing?

Do you spend your moments wishing for your surroundings to change, when the only thing that needs to change is you?

I love the words of Romans in our text, that our key to transformation is renewing our mind. The more we grow in Christ, the more we realize that the only obstacle we need to overcome is ourselves. 

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” (Romans 12:1)

Prayer for the week: God, help us recognize the change You want to make in us, and may we offer ourselves to You today as a living sacrifice. Renew our minds and fix our eyes on You! In Jesus name, Amen! 

Wendell Brown is district superintendent of the North Central Ohio District Church of the Nazarene. He is also the founder of Tragedy Into Triumph, a nationwide simulcast reaching hundreds of thousands of people over the last 12 years for the gospel of Christ. He is passionate about discipleship and finding new ways to tell the story of God’s love!

Please note: All facts, figures, and titles were accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of original publication but may have since changed.

Written for devotions.