2020 Has Changed Us: How?

Change is inevitable; progress is optional.

~Pastor Jeremy Foster

That’s what stuck out to me in the message preached by Pastor Jeremy Foster at Elevation Church last Sunday. I realized, “No one is getting out of this season unchanged.”  This pandemic has forced change in our lives, not just external but internal.

The question is, what kind of change?

What changes do you see in yourself?

If I’m coming out of this season changed- HOW?

Will it be for the better? 

Will I have grown in patience…or impatience?

Will I grow in love for those who I live with… or will I become harsh and unwilling to give of myself?

Will I have deepened friendships…or lost touch, checked out?

Will I be closer to Jesus… or angry with Him or uncertain He’s trustworthy?

Will I have grown in peace and walked in joy… or will my attitude be irritation, frustration, or disdain?

Will I have walked in trust… or fear?

Will I be positive and creative in doing work that looks different… or will I dig my heels in and refuse to change?

Will I choose gratefulness and find the good… or will I complain?

~We can’t hide our fruit~

The Bible says we are known by our fruit, meaning the outside evidence of what is going on in our hearts. We can’t pretend for long that we are producing good fruit if what is changing in our hearts isn’t for the better. We either produce good fruit- that is delicious and that people want, or we produce bad fruit- and nobody in their right mind would choose bad, rotten, nasty fruit. 

One of the fruits I’ve seen recently in my life (evidence of my heart-change) is hopelessness. That, my sweet friend, is fruit no one should choose to offer. When I look at that change (and hopelessness is not my normal characteristic), I know that I’ve allowed my heart to get stuck in that area. I’ve let fear keep me from hoping. I’ve let discouragement keep me from imagining a possible positive outcome. But if I will surrender that rotten fruit to God, He will work in that area and bring about changes that show He was at work in my life. He is the giver of hope. He brings joy and peace.

I get to determine the changes in my heart…

This pandemic is leaving a mark on each of us. I’m realizing I will look different and feel different at the end of 2020. But I’m also realizing I have control over what I allow this difficult season to change in me. I don’t want to come out of the only pandemic of my life bitter. I don’t want to be a permanent cynic. I don’t want to come out of lockdowns mad at the world that we couldn’t enjoy the pool or go on the trip of a lifetime. And right now, I’m headed that way! But today I realized: I get to determine what changes in my heart! I can dig into the positives and hold firm. I can choose to be more grateful. I can be the best long-distance friend. I can love my family from six feet away. I can choose to come out on the other side, whenever that may be, kinder, fear-free, peaceful, and full of faith, with my heart deeply rooted in my faith in God. 

Friend, let’s look at the changes we see in ourselves, and determine if we’re producing the kind of fruit we want to be known for. Let’s be critical- not of others, but of ourselves- and call ourselves out for where we’ve gotten stuck producing the wrong fruit, the kind that makes others sick. It’s not too late to turn around bad fruit! We’re still in this pandemic, and we’ve still got plenty of time to change what we’re growing and offering to the world. If we’re going to change, WE get to determine HOW!

My God promises He works in all situations. It doesn’t matter if it’s a jail cell, a pandemic, a hospital bed, or a crappy job. We just have to surrender to Him and let Him work. 

I’m in. Anyone else?

In case you are wondering, a list of good fruit is in the Bible.

Galations 5:22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.