By Ps. T. Motsepe

Jeremiah 9:23-24 reads: “Thus said the Lord, let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might,; let not the rich man glory in his riches; but let him that glorieth in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who exercises loving kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth: for in these I delight” says the Lord. The Lord reveals the misinformed disposition of man, and his distorted view of what is to be prioritized in his quest to be a better person in life. This by no means implies that change is bad. It simply implies that not all change is good. So what is profitable change?

Change that is profitable is one that has ramifications for life both on earth and in eternity (Luke 12:5 and Philippians 1:22). It is change that gives overall meaning to life, but life is only completely meaningful when it held together by him who hold all other things together, without whom ‘things fall apart” (Hebrews 1:3).

God gave Israel an antidote/medication/solution for personal and national disasters that result from deviating from his will. (2 Chronicles 7: 11-14). Basically God said, ’change your ways’.

All forms of change lead to either a demise or fruitfulness and productivity. It is just a matter of how we respond to change. Jesus gives us a clearer picture of the results of change in John 15: 1-1-2. Cut off” and “prune” can be observed in Matthew 15: 12-13 and Jeremiah 1: 1:4-12. Transition for us as a church means a change “uprooting” and “planting”.

We need to uproot

  • Spiritual lethargy OR sloth – Fake spirituality
  • Sin – As it easily entangles
  • Independence – Doing our own will instead of God’s will