I Can Change, If I Want To

Dr. Mike 2025, , , ,

You go up to the feast. I am not going up to this feast, for my time has not yet fully come.” After saying this, he remained in Galilee.  But after his brothers had gone up to the feast, then he also went up, not publicly but in private.   John 7:8-9

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And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went.  Matt. 21:29

There was a Canadian television comedy show back in the 90’s that I would occasionally catch. The show would end with men gathered together at a lodge reciting what they called the Man’s Prayer. It would go something like this: “I’m a man, I can change, if I have to, I guess.” Then the lights would go out and the show was over.

It would make me chuckle. For there lied the challenge we all face. We all have the potential to change. Yet whether we do or not is dependent on our internal motivation and desire. Yes, you could make me do something against my natural disposition. But the end result is going to be minimal compliance. Compare that with the internal desire and commitment coming from your soul. We have all seen an idea in the heart and mind when planted grow into a passionate force. Of the two, which action is going to produce the greatest impact?

The other day I witness a couple of my associates battling over a similar situation. They both gave their word to fulfill a promise. They grew up where their word was their bond and they would do all in their power to live it out. Yet circumstances surrounding what they agreed to had change. Rather than renegotiate new terms, they felt obliged to honor their original agreement. In some sense, they wanted to act like God.

God can bring about whatever results HE desires. It does not matter what circumstances or events have changed. Whereas us mere mortals, don’t have the power to make events workout the way we want all the time. Thus, us humans must work through the circumstances as they are.

We have a situation in John’s gospel where Jesus changes HIS mind. His brothers asked him whether HE planned to attend the Feast in Jerusalem. At that time, Jesus said he was not going. But, afterwards Jesus changed his mind. He went. We don’t know what changed, but Jesus reversed HIS original statement and went.

In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus gave a parable of two sons. The father asks the first one to help him in the vineyard. He answered that he will not go. But afterwards went. Dad also asked the second son for his help. The son said yes. But afterwards did not go. Jesus then asks the question, which one did the father’s will?

They both changed their mind. But what changed? What was the outcome?

At the end of the day, actions speak louder than words. Also circumstances change. You may have agreed to something in the beginning under specific conditions. But later discovered more information that wasn’t understood at the time. Or the goal or support changed from your original premise. In other words, the original agreement was built on certain parameters. If those parameters changed, you don’t have to play God. Let God be God, and us humans be human. God doesn’t change because HE is already perfect. Us humans though are still a work in process. We can all change our mind and plans. If we want to. If we have to. If God’s will is what we truly seek.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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