chchchchchanges

The process of change is often difficult. We can see this in the Old Testament story of David and Saul (see 1 Samuel 16-31). God has already anointed David king of Israel but Saul is still the King. Saul, being the jealous type, attempts to track David and his men down and kill them. This was common practice in ancient times -- it was an efficient, if not brutal, way to keep dissent and rivals out of the way.

The kicker here is that even though David has Saul in his power on two occasions, once in a cave and the other time in a tent late at night, and could easily have killed him -- and would have been expected and even encouraged to do so by his followers -- on both occasions David refuses to take his throne by killing its current occupant. This behavior was exceptionally unusual for this time and place but David is an extraordinary individual. He won't do it because he "won't touch the Lord's anointed." This decision helps to establish David's reign and kingdom in his later years.

David is trying to live into change in a healthy way. He is working a healthy process that delays his own ascension to the throne by several years but minimizes the transition when his time fully comes.

I wonder how this applies to the American political scene? How might it apply to the Church in its institutional form? How might it apply to your life.

"There may be change without growth but there is no growth without change."

Dr. BJ