POSITIVE CHANGE Contributed by Melanie Schurr

"... let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is." Romans 12:2

Change can be frightening at times because it entails a breaking away from the familiar in order to step into something new. That new thing may be a relocation to another state, joining a new club, meeting new friends, or trying a new hair style.

Think of how giving in to ungodly acts can change someone. Consider the person who steals from an employer, resulting in the loss of a job. Or what about the individual who gives into lust by getting unhealthily close to a member of the opposite sex, then having an extra-marital affair that ends up destroying a marriage?

God does call us to change; to open our wings like a butterfly who has transformed from a caterpillar, and broken free of his cocoon. God desires this beautiful transformation so that we can live up to the potential He calls us to: new creations who thirst for God's good a nd pleasing ways. Our Creator wants our desire to be to please Him, not man.

What society may deem as acceptable is not always okay is God's eyes. Man may say it's okay to have a little fling as long as no one finds out, but God defines adultery as sin. So too does man often support a spirit of vengeance by wanting to return jab for jab and blow for blow, but God calls us to love one another and treat each other as we wish to be treated.

While change can be disconcerting at times, there is no need to fear it with our Heavenly Father. He is our loving Dad who only wants what is best for us so that we may not only be approved in His sight, but live more joyously and peacefully.

Won't you take His hand and make a positive change today?