On one occasion a well-intentioned sister came to share something with me she had in her heart. With a smile that proved her sincerity and desire for my ministry to grow, she said: “Pastor, please don’t change.” My immediate reaction was to thank her for her sincere words and I assured her I would never change, and even more so I would always remember her honest advice. However, after meditating and pondering on that idea I came to a real and somewhat uncomfortable conclusion, that even though we might not want to we as human beings do change. I understand the suggestion of this dear sister has its worth being that bad attitudes and actions often adopted by people over time will not make a mark on my character as God’s servant. It is, to my understanding, a genuine concern. Titles, ministerial accomplishments, contacts and even the success of winning souls, amongst other things, could deviate some from the path of humbleness and recognizing that everything we are, we owe it to our Creator. And so, the great reality is that human beings do change. Some for better and others for worse. Change is an eternal companion of life. It knows us as we are birthed and bids us farewell only at death. It is a reality that on some occasions becomes self-evident to attract our attention, particularly those of us who now have a new master. Beforehand, we alone were suitable, but now we are befitted by Him.

We can say, without a doubt, that Christ’s resurrection is the believer’s hope and life. It is the fundamental truth of our own resurrection according to the Apostle Paul’s writings. Now, I ask myself what would have happened if Jesuschrist had not risen? What would have been the effect of an empty tomb? What would we hold on to if that was the case? How would the world be able to recieve the message of the Gospel? Thank God these questions do not represent the reality of the church of Jesuschrist. Today we delight in a hope that is alive because our Lord has risen. However, let us ponder on this thought momentarily and let us reflect on the grace of resurrection.