I really like my routine. I like to wake up at the same time five days a week, go to work and come home at the same time every day, have sushi on Monday, a meeting on Tuesday, church on Wednesday, spend Thursday night at home, spend time with friends on Friday, sleeping in on Saturday, and going to church on Sunday. I even like the routine of the seasons of the year. I like knowing what’s going to happen next.

But every once in a while, things change. Sometimes change is good, like a vacation, wedding, or a new baby. Other times, change is just change, like moving small group to Thursday night or moving across town. Still other times, change isn’t quite as good, like the loss of a job, death of a friend or family member, or the end of a relationship.

I’ve found that I like change sometimes, especially if it was my idea to make the change. I’m notorious for changing my hair style (or color) routinely. I like to rearrange furniture and move accessories around my house. A few months ago, we decided to change our kitchen paint color from Dusty Camel to Rainforest Mist.

Recently, I realized that when I don’t like the change, it’s usually because it was someone else’s idea. Sometimes I can be so nervous about learning to do something differently or losing momentum during the shift that I’ll immediately write off the changes as a bad idea instead of jumping on board to do my best to implement the change for the benefit of everyone around me. In my experience, this attitude isn’t very good for unifying a team – especially in ministry.

The important thing is learning to look for what God is doing through the changes we experience. Romans 8:28 (NIV) assures us that “…in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Notice that Paul didn’t say “in the good things” or “in the things that look like they’re part of the plan.” No, Paul says in all things God works for the good of those who love Him. God is using the changes in your life – the good and the bad – to draw you nearer to him.

So, in 2010, challenge yourself to approach change with open eyes and an open heart to see how God is using the changes for your good (even if it wasn’t your idea J).