Adjustments!

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you see/hear the word adjustment? A simple, ten-letter word can have drastic implications! Implications that will forever alter the trajectory of your life! When defined, adjustment can mean, “a small alteration or movement made to achieve a desired fit, appearance, or result” or “the process of adapting or becoming used to a new situation.” There will come a time in the life of a believer when adjustments will have to take place! They often come when we begin seeking our desires and plans above the Lord’s. When we come to place ourselves on the throne, believing that we know ourselves better than the Lord and we alone can satisfy the desires of our hearts. The Lord sovereignly allows the necessary adjustments to bring us back into alignment with Him and the plan He has for our individual lives. These adjustments might have to take place in friendships, relationships, school, or career choices. At times, these changes may make sense and seem easy enough. But inevitably, there will come a day when the Lord will call you to leave something or pursue something that may not make sense. A change that will leave you uncertain and honestly scared because it is unlike anything you have experienced. Something that will require faith! When that time comes, if it has not already, there will be a decision to be made. But do not take my word for it, look at scripture in its entirety. We have story after story in the Old and New Testament of people the Lord called to make huge, life-altering adjustments. In Genesis 6, the Lord decides to destroy all of humanity due to their wickedness and during this, He calls Noah to build an ark. In vs 22 it says, “Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him.” In Genesis 12, God calls Abram, who is seventy-five years, to leave his land and go to the one He would eventually show him. The Lord gives Abram this promise in v.2 “I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Meanwhile in Exodus 3, God’s chosen people are facing oppression by the hands of the Egyptians and the Lord appears to Moses. Moses is hiding away in Midian after he had committed murder. The Lord calls him to be the instrument in which He uses to deliver the Israelites out of slavery. The New Testament is also riddled with stories of major life-altering adjustments. When Jesus encounters each disciple, they are going about their life. Matthew, the tax collector, is sitting in his office when Jesus calls him to follow him. Simon and Andrew as well as James and John are in the middle of fishing when He calls them. Lastly, look at the life of Paul! He was among the elite in the Jewish faith. Born from the purest lineage and educated by the best teachers. As a Pharisee, he knew the law well but he encounters the Lord on the road to Damascus. From them on his mission in life is to take the Gospel to the Gentiles. If we are being honest with ourselves, we can sometimes view our encounters with the Lord as inconvenient and disruptive. More often than not, they are! As believers, we are continually being shaped and molded to be more like Christ. That process is hard and messy as we daily die to our flesh, but in the grand scheme of eternity, it is inevitably worth it. The adjustments He calls us to at times may seem impossible and terrifying. In those moments, look at scripture and be reminded that the Lord equips and provides for His children. Be encouraged that He ultimately knows us better than we know ourselves. He takes our likes and desires into consideration and perfectly weaves them into our mandate of making disciples.