Sunday I presented a question to our church family at SCC that has not left my mind.  The question was,” what will you change before you are forced to change?”  That is the question that every person must answer and if we procrastinate and do not answer the question and take action, we will have to change the hard way by pain.

 

I have watched my Dad who has diabetes not change his eating habits in spite of knowing his disease.  I remember back in 1995 at the age of 49 when they took him in to an operating room and did open heart surgery because of the damage diabetes had done to his arteries.  I remember hearing the doctors say to him, “Mr. Daws we have done all we can do for you to give you a second chance at life, now the rest is up to you.”  I thought after my Dad had his chest cut open he will get it together.  Well, that has not been the case and it has been one doctor’s visit after another over these last 13 years. 

 

I watch people struggle all the time who know what to do to make life better for themselves or their family but for some reason will not humble themselves to make the changes they need to make.  I think the greatest enemy to “Real Change” is pride.  Before I am willing to change I have to admit that I am wrong, my way is not working.   No wonder Jesus said Matthew 23:12 (NIV)   For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

 

So one of the first steps for real change is to ask yourself, “what am I doing that is not working in the areas of my spiritual life, family life, financial life or physical life?”   You see, you can’t separate those areas because they all make up your life and only you can decide to humble yourself to change them.  Jesus makes us a promise if we humble ourselves and ask what or where do I need to change. If we start acting on the answer, you will be exalted by him.  That means you take the first step and he will meet you and give you the power to have “Real Change.”