Change is Challenging
Dear Friends and Family of Hilton Baptist Church,
As I type these words, I am sitting on my deck watching a tractor overturn the soil in the
field behind my house. For the last several months weeds have overtaken the field.
Apparently, a rabbit had been enjoying the overgrowth because it just ran across the yard
as the tractor came through.
I am not a farmer, but it is my understanding there comes a time when the field needs a
“rest” and nothing is planted. This allows the field to rejuvenate itself in preparation for the
next season’s crop. Unfortunately, this time of rest also allows weeds and brush to take over.
Yet, if the farmer wishes to plant a crop next spring, he must eliminate those weeds that will
inhibit new growth; he must overturn the soil, he must disrupt the status quo. The weeds
were useful for a time, as they helped to bring fresh nutrients into the soil but the farmer is
now preparing for the next season. He is preparing for new growth and that requires a
change.
I imagine if the field could talk it would say “I don’t like this! What’s wrong with the way
things are? This doesn’t feel good and besides you are making a mess!” If the weeds could
speak, they may claim how necessary and important they are and how much the field has
enjoyed their presence. The rabbit would certainly argue that he doesn’t appreciate this
‘unnecessary’ change and how it has disrupted his life. Since the field is changing, he may
decide to leave and find another field more to his liking.
For a moment, consider this: Who knows more about farming – the field, weeds and rabbit or
the farmer? Should the farmer be more concerned about the field as it is now or his future
crop? Should the farmer keep things as they are now and simply hope his crop will grow or
should he make the necessary changes to ensure his crop will grow?
His choice is simple: Do nothing and his crop certainly won’t grow (or) do something and
his crop might grow. That requires change and change is hard whether you walk on two legs
or hop on four legs.
Change usually includes some type of challenge and challenges usually include some type
of change. In those moments we quickly learn what the overturned field learned: There
comes a time to turn over the soil to prepare for something new and it will be disruptive,
unpleasant and challenging.
And yet, if we are patient, keep faith and trust the process, eventually we might just see
green sprouts rising from the ground.
As we continue our Fall sermon series on “Changes and Challenges” I hope you will continue to ask yourself “How and where in my life is God asking (or telling) me to be patient, trust the process and keep the faith? Where is God overturning the soil in my life, in preparation for new growth?”
As a unified church, and as individual disciples of Jesus Christ, let’s continue to ask these tough questions together.
I’ll see you on Sunday.
Grace and Peace,
Dan
Categories: Pastors Message