April 2nd

Change or Die

Jeremiah 31:31-34
John 12:12-16




Here’s a joke for you: “How many church members does it take to change a light bulb?” Answer: “Change?!?! What do you mean, change?!? Heresy! Burn the heretic!”

You may chuckle at this little joke; but you might be surprised at just how hard change really is for us. For example, imagine your doctor tells you that you are going to die within the month. BUT, if you significantly change your lifestyle right now and for the next month and beyond, you’ll live a long and happy life. In other words, change or die.

Could you do it? Could you make such a radical and immediate change if it meant your life was at stake? Probably not. As a matter of fact, studies show that odds are 9 to 1 that we wouldn’t change. Think about it. How many of us have sat in the doctor’s office and been told that we really should avoid the buffet lines, and that cheesecake does not count as a serving of dairy? Or that just because Jesus turned water into wine doesn’t mean that it is the only thing we should be drinking with our meals? Or better yet, that walking from the refrigerator to the couch to the bathroom to the bed does not count as a cardio workout?

So, we get the message and push back from the table, find out that drinking water isn’t so bad after all, and discover the joys of walking in our neighborhoods, or along the beach or bay. But then it isn’t long before the weather, work schedules, aches and pains, and those tempting church potlucks dampen our enthusiasm, and we are back to square one. No real change. No real chance at a healthy life.

This inability to change seems to have been part of the human condition throughout history, too. For example, the children of Israel prayed to be released from bondage in Egypt, and through Moses and Aaron, God answered their prayers. Then, once they learned that this new found freedom included a lot of change, they started complaining and wanted to go back to Egypt. You see, they may have been in bondage in Egypt, but at least they knew what they were dealing with there! All the unknowns that came with their freedom were too much for the Israelites to bear.

Then the Israelites asked for directions. They asked Moses to speak to God for them. God provided Moses with the 10 Commandments—clearly written rules for change--which the Israelites proceeded to constantly violate. See, even though God had called them separate themselves from the practices of the pagan groups around them, the Israelites simply could not do it—even when God threatened them with exile, destruction, and death!
Now some of us may think, “Well, that’s them—not me. If I were threatened with death, I would pay attention. Maybe so; but consider this. Studies show that within 2 years, 90% of heart bypass surgery patients do not significantly alter their behaviors—even though they know that they will die sooner than later if they don’t make some much-needed changes in their lives.

But change isn’t the perceived enemy only when it comes to health care issues. Oh, no! Corporations spend billions of dollars a year on consultants and programs to promote change. But more often than not, these corporations implement either short-term change, or the changes suggested are flatly rejected. And what happens? Most of these businesses end up dying.

And don’t even get me started on churches…

So, if not even impending, exile, destruction, and death can make us change, are we doomed? Well, not really. There are those people, corporations, and—believe it or not—even churches that can make healthy, lasting changes in their lives. While there is absolutely no doubt that change is tough, change is possible. So, what is the secret to healthy, lasting change?

Maybe the secret lies in how we address the very issue of change. Let’s look at the children of Israel again. In the beginning, change was all about rules and the structure. They were informed. They knew the rules. They knew the consequences of breaking those rules. And the rules and structure weren’t so bad and useless, either. But none of that stuff actually touched them inside.

I can almost imagine God sitting back and thinking, “OK. They asked for deliverance and I provided it. They asked for leaders and direction. I provided both. They asked for protection. I provided it. They break the rules, I allow them to experience the consequences of their decisions. Obviously, the message is not getting through. It is time for me to initiate a change—a radical change—a change that is nothing like humanity has ever experienced before. Maybe what humanity needs is a fresh start—just no flood this time, or fire and brimstone like I used for Sodom and Gommorah. Here’s what I’ll do. Instead of working from the outside in, I will work from the inside out!”

The change process God started here was nothing short of amazing. While not completely tossing out the law and structure, God was initiating a move from commandments to conversation, from rules to relationship. So, if we pay attention, there are a few things we can learn about real, lasting change from this passage in Jeremiah.

First, God is open to change! God even initiates change! God tried one approach with the Israelites, and when that wasn’t bringing about the desired changes, God started shaking things up. Kind of makes you wonder, doesn’t it? I mean, if God seems to be OK with change, what is our problem?

Second, real change comes from the inside, not the outside. Don’t misunderstand me here. Rules and structure are not always bad things. After all , we do need some guidelines, folks. For example, we need to know as much as we can about the condition of our health so we can make informed choices about treatment options. But, unless the desire to become healthier comes from deep inside of us, any positive changes we make will be short-lived at best.

And we definitely need some structure when it comes to living together as a community of faith. You think changing government economic policy is serious? Just try changing the order of worship in a church! I have heard of more than one pastor that has been encouraged to explore an alternative calling for his or her life for changing the order of worship.

And speaking of the order of worship, did you notice anything different about ours’ today? Now if you’re a new visitor, you probably didn’t notice anything too far out there. But if you are a regular, you have probably noticed that nobody robed today, and that the Prayer Minister, TC, and I did not process. And guess what? The roof didn’t fall in! We’re still having church!

I made this change for today to make a deeper point. As you know, we are in the beginning stages of a revisioning process. But we are approaching this process a little differently than what is considered “normal.” We still have rules and structure. And believe it or not, there is somewhat of a plan. But we are starting the move from rules to relationship, from commandments to conversation. In other words, this process is different, and that means change. And change can be frightening sometimes, can’t it?

You see, this process isn’t about changing our denominational affiliation. And this process isn’t about changing all our programming. The purpose of this process is not to give the Board and myself yet another “to do” list. This process is about changing US—the community of faith known as MCC of Corpus Christi—from the inside out. Sure, we can change worship. I can dress like I am dressed today in a collar and jacket, and we can even have Christian rap music. After all, who wouldn’t love to see Brother Don in a “do rag” and some major bling?

We can change our programming as much as we want. But do you know what? Unless those changes come from an inward sense of holy urgency that is then directed outside of these four walls, unless those changes are born of God’s direction and leading, all we are really doing is rearranging the furniture, so to speak. And while rearranging the furniture isn’t necessarily always a bad idea, such changes never last.

But let’s get even more personal. Let’s talk about our individual spiritual lives. Like the children of Israel, we may know the rules. Hey! We can even quote scripture! We may have even been exposed to loving, open, and affirming church environments. But for some reason, it just doesn’t seem to be making that much of a difference in our lives. We realize that something needs to change. Unfortunately, we tend to look on the outside rather than inside.

The point here is pretty simple, folks. We can quote the Bible from front to back. We can have perfect church attendance. We can serve on as many boards and councils as our time allows. But do you know what? All that effort will not result in positive change. That change has to come from inside of us.

And where do we find the strength to make such radical changes in our lives—both individually, and as communities of faith? This kind of strength does not come from fear of punishment; for change born of fear is not true and lasting change at all. True and lasting inward change is a change born of love. It is a change born of God. We find that kind of strength to change in the new covenant mentioned in Jeremiah today. We find that inner strength that comes from God through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We find that strength to change as Christ comes and dwells in our very hearts. All we have to do is ask. For as Philippians 4:13 tells us, it is through Christ that we can do all things.

Even, I dare say, find the strength to change.

God bless you and amen.