Got Any Change?

I don't know about you, but I am a rut-averse person.  Zig Ziglar said, "A rut is just a grave with the ends kicked out".  That chills me to the bone.  I'm too young for the grave!  Though change is hard for some people, others thrive on it.  If you've been here before, you'll notice I've changed the look of the Blog.  I'll probably do it again in another 60-days.  Why?  Because I dig constant change?  No.  I just really un-dig ruts.  

You know, there's a difference between a change in appearance, and a change in the nature of something. A change in appearance says, "I've changed the look of my Blog".  A change in nature says, "This Blog will now focus on the plight of migrant farm-workers in California".  Though it would be good for a Blog to focus on such a topic.  It wouldn't be God for me.  

When God changes us, he doesn't just change our appearance.  In fact, for many, the outward appearance doesn't ever really change.  Being rut-averse, however, mine changed as I morphed from 80's rocker into 90's conservative republican business-type.  But it wasn't a permanent change.  Another 10 years, another change in appearance (the settled-down construction project manager living in South Alabama look).  Another 10 years, another change in appearance (the increasingly socially-conscious and more liberal-minded post-modern biker pastor look).  

Those changes in appearance reflected a change in perspective, not a change in nature.  

A change in nature is a one time, permanent change.  When a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly it has a new nature.  It's not the same thing as it was before.  When we receive Christ we are changed from the inside-out.  And the very nature of who and what we are changes for all eternity. That's good news in times when appearance and perspective are constantly evolving.  

It can be confusing for some people when the church changes to reflect the culture of its time. But a change in appearance generally flows out of a change in perspective.  Perhaps the church is beginning to LOOK different, because we are SEEING differently.  

God's word never changes.  As we grow in wisdom and understanding though, shouldn't our perspective change, as we begin seeing differently?  Be forewarned: Looking at things from a different perspective just might change your appearance!