Change

I have belonged to a health club for 10 years. The first two weeks of January is always packed. I went today and the ranks were pretty thin. Change is hard. Any one who has ever made a New Year's resolution knows that. There was only one time in my life that change seemed to be easy. It was when I was falling in love. I rearranged my schedule, paid more attention to hygiene, was polite and chivalrous, heck, I even dressed better. When I was romancing my wife, change was my middle name. What is it about love that gives the power to change? I think of the words of Paul the Apostle when he says," I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes". The Gospel is all about love. More and more I am praying that the truth of the love of God for me will sink down deep. It is my only hope for real change. My will power really doesn't do much. Fear and guilt and even pride have limited success in changing me for the good. But Love can change me. I have seen it happen and felt it's power. There is no greater power on the earth than the Gospel because it is the distilled love of God in Jesus. The day I understand the depth of that love is the day I change into the person I have always wanted to be. So, if 2008 is going to be a year of change, then it will be a year of believing that God really loves me even though I deserve it less than anyone I know.