But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. (NIV)

As I write this, a Chickadee is flitting about just outside the window. I marvel at its ability to grasp a limb, it's precise movements between the many branches, the shape of its wing, its beak perfected to crack a seed, the downy fluff that kept it just warm enough all winter, the strength and lightness of its feathers; I could go on. All of this points to a Creator. Years ago, I would have just thought, “there's a bird.” But now, well, something's changed.

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The Greek philosopher Heraclitus once observed, “The only constant in life is change.” Obviously, he's not referencing God, who “is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Heb. 13:8). But in life, change is a constant. Do you look upon that as a good thing or not so good thing? If I think back to how much I've changed since being born into this world, I look at this as a good thing. Take, for example, my being helpless at birth. I was totally dependent on my parents for everything. Slowly over time, I grew more independent to meet not only my own physical needs like food and shelter, but also to attain my own cognitive perceptions of the world, the ability to learn, discern, and decide for myself. However, is it good or bad that things will change from the present? Can you be assured of an answer other than “only time will tell?”

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As I said, I'm not the same as I once was. I think that's a good thing, but I am biased. If you want an honest answer, ask my wife. But seriously, looking back, I can see my focus was on things that once seemed so critical but now, trivial. Obviously, life situations change over time, but I'm talking about something more intrinsic than just a pursuit to meet my immediate needs. There's a deeper desire in me today to find more meaning to my own existence. And I can honestly say, I have a deeper desire to understand the meaning in your, or our, own existence as well. Pursuing that drive to fulfill this desire has changed my life. It could change yours, as well.

Paul once said. “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me” (1 Cor. 13:11). Do you agree? Are you like Paul?

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I believe we all want to change. We all want to better ourselves. We all have a deeper desire to serve more than just ourselves. That desire comes from the heart. From the point in which He knitted us in the womb, God placed on our heart a calling – a calling for “Abba, Father” (Rom. 8:15). Before we were even born, God was calling us to Him.

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Since we were born into a fallen world, we were born into sin. As Paul puts it, “You used to be slaves to sin.” You used to say things driven by the world. You used to do things driven by the world. But as you grew, the calling that God put on your heart grew as well. There's an internal sense that there's something more to life than just living in the world. There is a higher calling, a purpose that God has created us for. Once you accept this, you are forever changed. No longer does the world dictate your happiness, your joy, your actions, but the love, hope, grace, and providence of our Lord fulfills our longing for these things. Just like the miracle that is a chickadee, you are much more so. You were created to commune with Him.

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The change in your life once you've accepted Jesus as your Savior will be outwardly visible. No longer will you say things driven by the world. No longer will you do things driven by the world. You will become a “slave to righteousness.” You will desire to say and do things driven by God's love. You may slip up now and then, but you'll be aware of it. You'll also notice the lack of it in others. But you'll seek for ways to keep changing, improving, and growing yourself and others, as well. Through Jesus, you are made righteous.

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So, is it good or bad that things will change from the present? I hope you see that with God as your center, you weren't created to live with the hopeless answer of “only time will tell.” Rejoice and be confident that “time will prove” that change is a good thing. As a slave to righteousness, your life will be forever changed.

Thank you, God, that the only constant in life is change. Therefore, I invite You into my life and ask You to keep growing my relationship with You. Forgive me for being a slave to sin but know in my heart, I desire to be a slave to righteousness. Thus, I declare my allegiance to You. Your Kingdom come Lord, on Earth as in Heaven. Amen.