The theme of our ministry contact this month is “Time to Change.” The thought of change has been on my mind a lot. The people we are working with are changing their lives from addiction and violence to restoration, love, and Jesus. Change is never easy but these people walk through it everyday. They are completely changing their lives, every aspect of it if they choose. And the thing about it is that no matter how difficult and painful it is, they are changing because they desire something more, something better, something that their old lives couldn’t give them. And they are finding it in Jesus.
On our plane ride to South Africa, I was listening to two people talk about how Jesus was changing their lives. They walked through some painful and difficult realizations to let Jesus change them. I began to get jealous because while I’ve grown this year, I don’t see how I’ve grown a lot. Naturally, complaining and whining followed this jealous feeling. I complained to Jesus for not changing me. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks.
I’m very willing to change. I’m very willing to change as long as it’s within my comfort zone. As long as it’s something that I’m willing to admit that needs to change. But when Jesus gives me those subtle hints of those difficult things that need to change, I often ignore them. I convince myself that I don’t need to change that part of my life. And so I don’t change. I keep going through my life ignoring the biggest things that need to change in me to allow me to grow. How do I become so vulnerable before the Lord that the only option left is for change and growth?
The patients at Camp Joy can’t hold anything back if they truly want a different life. Not only do they have to change but they also have to know that what they are changing for is worth everything because entering back into their old environment as a changed person could cost them their life. And yet, they are willing to put everything on the table to acquire a changed life. A restored life.
What am I holding back that is keeping me from being changed? I’m not sure, but I know that I’m challenged everyday to dig deeper to find the answer because Camp Joy is digging deeper. I’m challenged everyday to walk into painful things toward restoration because Camp Joy is walking through painful things into restoration. I’m challenged everyday to change because staying the same just isn’t worth it when Christ has something more for me.
