Joyous Reformation

Whereas the word “revival” represents the concept of life, the word “reformation” represents the concept of change. In this article I would like to speak an encouraging word about the issue of change and in so doing assert that the changes that God leads us through, being for our best good, instead of being resented may be rallied to with enthusiasm, hence “Joyous Reformation”.

First we may generally recognize that change is the very action of life. Although we are creatures of habit we cannot control the circumstances of life that surround us; thus we constantly adjust our habits with those circumstances. Oftimes we are challenged with spiritual change influenced by idealistic theological interpretation. This is the case for many when they discover the Sabbath or vegetarianism. What may be easy for one can be extremely distressing for another. The simple fact is that overall change is painful. It is viewed by most as undesirable. So this real life dynamic can make life thorny and frustrating. So how can we cope with such a reality?

God makes all the difference! Our attitude makes a difference as well and we can motivate our attitude with such quips as “when life gives you lemons make lemonade” but really it is God wherein our strength lies. You see change/reformation requires giving and, “God loves a joyful giver.” II Cor. 9:7. But how can we give unless we have received? So we must go to God first.

This becomes the basis to “joyous reformation”; the use of our choice to first go to God and second to enjoy the change by which we are challenged. Go to God and there pour your heart out to Him and wrestle with the issue of change; receive from God the strength to joyfully move forward. Then break the change required down to doable steps and address those steps with all the enthusiasm you can muster. When once challenged by change and having gone through these steps, though faced with an exceedingly grim prospect, I actually found myself excitedly singing, “I’ve discovered the way of gladness…” This was joyous reformation.

I believe that we as Reformers are best poised to advocate joyous reformation. We are not a miserable crowd. Rather our belief is that it is our privilege and joy to draw as close to God and His ways as possible regardless of the difficulties that it may involve. Hence we may encourage others to assertively engage change/reformation for God as a friend rather than a foe.

May “joyous reformation” for Jesus continue to be our principle, practice and proclamation is my prayer, AMEN!!

Kelly Schultz, Alberta, Canada