What we learn about change from the Unchanging One

James Bruyn April 13, 2023

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Who was the first change agent? What was the first change?

God was the first change agent! God's creative acts of shaping our planet, our solar system, the universe to sustain life, the creation of animals and birds and people were the first changes that ever occurred.

God, the first change agent, didn't spend sleepless nights fretting over all the risks, and all the things that could go wrong with bring change by creating the universe. God didn't rush out rashly to pursue the first change that crossed through His mind.

The great "I Am" God brought change to the universe with a quiet confidence. He didn't try walking in somebody else's shoes, he didn't try to be somebody he wasn't. God chose out of love for you and me to bring change, to create this universe.

Then God, who is all powerful and perfectly self-sufficient, does something incredibly amazing—he chose to bless us and trust us with the power and ability to bring change to his creation!

We are not insignificant specks lost in a vast universe, we are the exalted and glorious high point of all God's good creation with the freedom to use what God has created to bring change.

Not only does God trust us to be change agents of his creation, with great joy, God turns His face towards us and speaks words of blessing over us. It is with God's blessing echoing in our ears that we bring change to God's creation.

It is with God's blessing echoing in our ears that we bring change as men and women entrusted with dominion over every living creature, every plant, every aspect of his creation. It is with God's blessing echoing in our ears that we make changes that influence not only our life, but the lives of those around us, and the lives of those to come.

As Dr. Seuss said … "You have brains in your head, you have feet in your shoes, you can steer yourself in any direction you choose."

1. You have brains in your head.

As you consider bringing change to your life or your organization, are you overthinking or under-thinking the change? Are you dwelling on the negative thoughts, the risks, on all the things that could go wrong? Are you dwelling on how you could have fame and success if the change goes well?

Is God, the first change agent sufficient, wise, and powerful enough to handle the results of this change? How might God, the first change agent, be glorified through this change?

2. You have feet in your shoes.

When God created you, he brought change into this world, and he said this change was good. Your feet, your skills, your friends, your family, are where God placed you to be his change agent.

Are you standing in your own shoes? Or are you trying to walk in someone else's shoes? Why are you trying to wear shoes that are too big and keep falling off your feet, or shoes that are too small and pinch your feet?

3. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.

Sometimes embracing change is hard. At other times it is very tempting to race ahead and pause without thinking of where you are going. What change do we really want?

Where do we really want to go? Recognizing the trust God has in us, recognizing the blessing he has bestowed on us, with joy we listen for God's voice every morning proclaiming his steadfast, unchanging love for us. Knowing we have heard God proclaiming his love for us, in humility we call out to the Creator to grant us wisdom and show us the way we should go.

Having heard the voice of the first change agent, with quiet confidence, motivated by love for God's creation and God's people, we are able take the next faithful step in the change journey.

Our brains, our feet, and our ability to choose are all gifts from God. How are we stewarding these gifts?

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James Bruyn is a bi-vocational visionary leader, writer and speaker who enjoys helping individuals integrate their faith in God with their daily life. He leads a ministry to Christians in the marketplace in Calgary, provides leadership coaching, and consults for the rail industry. He writes a weekly devotional and also has a devotional book, 31 Days with God at Work (Marketplace 2018). Learn More »

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