"YOU HAVE CHANGED!" This is what people will often say with an accusatory tone—implying that you are not the person you used to be. There is something about your character, standards or actions that have changed. It could also mean that your priorities may have changed over the years. When any of this takes place in your life, some people around you will sadly take offence. Hence, the accusatory statement “you have changed.” So, is change necessary? Should people have the same character and priorities throughout their lives, or must we expect change? Granted, there is a change in attitude that thinks you are better than others by virtue of your status & that makes you unapproachable. That is pride! However, I would like to propose reasons why change is necessary for life.
1. Growing up calls and demands for change, and it comes with added and different responsibilities. We surely do not expect a 30-year-old to behave the same as when he was 20 years. The only people who refuse to change as they advance in years are those who refuse to grow up.
2. Marriage is, by nature, a change of lifestyle and commitment. Priorities, commitments and sometimes friends change. One of the sources of conflict in marriage is the refusal to adjust lifestyles. When married people want to continue living as they did when they were single, they fail to appreciate their new life and responsibilities. You cannot hang out with the guys till kingdom come anymore as a married man. Marriage changes your budgeting, your programming and your character.
3. Parenting DEMANDS for change. And all the parents shout AMEN! You have more and greater work at home that requires your presence and attention. The way you do things will change, and your budgeting will definitely change. You do not float with your friends as and when you please. Before you have kids, you can just wake up and take a trip; you can decide to visit someone or eat out, invite friends, have game night into the early hours of the next day, etc. Oh, but when the little bundles of joy start coming, you have to be more structured and be more planning will go into each of those activities.
4. Christianity is a call to change. Before salvation, you lived in sin and pleased yourself (Eph. 2:1-3). When God graciously saves you, you are a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17-21), and you are called to live a different life for a different master. It is deception to claim you have been saved and transformed from your sinful life and yet, remain the same. Your commitment to God and God's people radically change.
Change is necessary. Progress, growth and maturity require and demand change. We must constantly evaluate and examine our character, actions, and priorities to make the necessary changes. Change is a good thing and should be expected such that the real question becomes, "WHY HAVEN'T YOU CHANGED?"
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