by Pastor James Bell

It’s that time of year when everything is changing. New life is springing up everywhere! How about you? Can you spare some change?

“Moses, you have had an exciting life. Hidden as an infant, raised by the Pharaoh, exiled to another country, and now raising sheep. Ever think of writing a book?”

“Hey, I’m only eighty. I sense a major change coming in my life. In fact, I heard God speak from a flaming bush in the desert yesterday. The book might have to wait.”

Five books, in fact. We call them the Pentateuch. Starting at age eighty, Moses radically changed his lifestyle by following God’s leading. Feeling absolutely unqualified, he led God’s people from slavery to freedom.

There is never a convenient season for change. It often comes as an uninvited guest, forcing us out of our comfort zones. Preferably, It comes as the result of an intentional act, rooted in a passion for things to be different. But, one way or another, change will come. It will leave you breathless and full of faith, or it will see you disappointed, and clinging to the safety of a compromised life.

“Saul, you have always been an over-achiever. Gamaliel found you to be a brilliant student. The Pharisees recognize you as a scholar. Will you gather young men around you and share your wealth of knowledge?”

“My life is a pile of crap. That is, compared to what I have just discovered. I am completely changing my perspective on the scripture. I am being filled with the Spirit. I am set on disappearing as Saul, and letting Jesus be huge in my life. Might even change my name…”

The world would never be the same. Some said of this Saul of Tarsus, who changed to become the Apostle Paul, that he and his associates “turned the world upside down!”

It is both exciting and frustrating to know that we have people like Moses, Paul, Ruth, Gideon, Esther, and Peter sitting in our congregation. We see insecurity, pride, fear, misguided ambition, and low expectations. God sees powerful ministry impacting lives. The difference is change.

Good change is a result of revelation. It comes to us when we “get it” about life. Our role in personal change is simply to come to Jesus with a wide-open heart. He takes over from there. Positive change always begins at the cross. We leave everything. Then we receive God’s best.

There are leaders in men’s ministry, intercessory prayer warriors, teachers of children, missionaries and pastors in our midst. Gifted musicians and singers are all around us. Gifts of prophecy, healing and discerning of spirits are waiting to be unwrapped and used. Gender and generational bias is giving way to the will of God, as religiosity is exposed and dealt with. Spiritual sensitivity is fueling a change. Do you feel it coming?

Hearts are hungry for truth. Lives are in a state of confusion. The world is waiting for some answers, looking frantically, one last time, at the church.

Can you spare some change?

Our second Norwich is what I call a “rehab” dog. She came to us with a problem or two. But then, she’s a Norwich, and we love that breed. So Suz and I made a decision to shift to “rehab mode”. One problem with this dog was a perceived need to urinate at the wrong time. Thankfully, she’s a dog and does not attend our Sunday services, where some folks could have been a bad influence on her. Another problem was her name. Her registered name is Happy Trails. But you can’t step out our front door and loudly call her that. We love the fact that our neighborhood is a mixing bowl of all ethnic groups. If you yell out “Happy Trails!”, a neighbor out taking a walk might glare at you and say, “I live here, dude. Not going anywhere”, and give you an unfriendly wave. And also, how do you play with a dog called Happy Trails? Do you call it Hap? Or Tray? Not.

Her former owner called her Miss Ellie. That’s what she was called during her “good dog gone bad” days. Call her that and her ears immediately lower and her tail goes between her legs. A name change was in order. Suz came up with “Weezie”. It was perfect. Except that she spells it “Ouizzie”, and that spelling is way too sophisticated for my little canine friend, who snarls at dogs and licks people with equal offensiveness. It is also too casual for the occasions when she needs a father/b-word talk from me, and I opt for “The Weezmeister”. She respects that.

Most (normal) people never change their dog’s name. You know why? It’s really hard for you and the dog. In fact, most dogs just chalk it up to human stupidity and only respond if there’s food involved. You can’t just change a dog’s name. It’s a process. It takes time and effort. On the other hand, we did it and now we wouldn’t have it any other way.

In the Bible, God changed people’s names when a life change was needed. Abram, Jacob, and Saul of Tarsus, for example. They each needed a big-time change in their lives. God decided to change the very thing that gave them their identity. Gideon was known as a cowardly hoarder of grain. God called him a mighty man of valor. Ever wonder what he calls you?

You struggle with doubt, but God calls you a man of faith. You are tempted by Satan, but God calls you a woman of God. You feel weak, but God mentions your strength. You recognize fear in your heart, but God sees his own Son in your heart. You worry about the future and God is anticipating your future with great delight!

Maybe it’s time to start being who God says you are.

It takes time and patience to change a dog’s name, but we did it. And we are also seeing a big change in the dog. I am convinced that she adapted to the new lifestyle more quickly because of the new name.

No offense, but these days, when I yell, “Weezie!” and suddenly there is a brown blur racing across the yard to meet me, tongue out, legs flying, eyes wide open… I can’t help thinking about what God might be planning for you.

…and me, too!