Change is hard. 30% of Americans make New Year’s Resolutions, 70% don’t. Nearly half (49%) of those, the 30% that make resolutions, ages 18 to 29 say they made at least one resolution this year, by far the largest share of any age group. About a third (31%) of those ages 30 to 49 say they made a resolution, while only about a fifth (21%) of adults 50 and older have done so. As we get older I guess we have either met all of our goals or believe that change is too hard or that making resolutions is easier said than done! Oh, the optimism of youth!
It’s good to come into the New Year realizing that we need to change something. It doesn’t have to be big, only real. Change is good, but not everything always needs to change all the time! What isn’t broken probably doesn’t need fixed! But on the other hand, we should always be looking for ways to change those things that are broken or are getting tired or need an update. Not everything from the 70’s or 90’s needs to continue to live in your house or closet!
God likes change! In fact, God loves change, look around you; the seasons change, the weather changes, every snowflake is different from the other, and people change. We begin as infants and change almost daily all the way through to death. There is change going on all over the world around us that God has created. God loves change, yet He never changes.
“I am the Lord, and I do not change.” Malachi 3:6. “He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.” James 1:17. And, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8.
So how do we know the changes that we should make? Oswald Chambers writes, “Not often but every once in a while, God brings us to a major turning point –a great crossroads in our life. From that point we either go toward a more and more slow, lazy and useless Christian life, or we become more and more on fire, giving our utmost for His highest—our best for His glory.”
What kind of faith life do you want to have in 2026? Will you go toward a slower and lazier and useless Christian life, or do you want to become more and more on fire giving your utmost for His highest? We don’t want to change those things that are good and are there to help us grow in our faith. Are you willing to change those things that are holding you back? Don’t you want to know if there are things hindering your growth and life as a believer? Change is hard, but with God change is possible!
Let’s start with the disciples and how their lives changed and what that looked like in the first days of following Jesus in Mark 1. These were just ordinary people. They were fishermen, doing what they always did. Fishing. They were casting in their nets- nothing unusual on this day. A normal day on the sea of Galilee.
Jesus gave fishermen the invitation he called them, “Come follow me.” Jesus gave the invite and they responded, ‘at once!’
When you are called to follow you need to believe that: Where Jesus is calling you is better than where you are. For you to choose to change, you have to believe where you are going is better than where you are. Why would anyone change if nothing is going to be different? If everything is going to be the same- why change? When you choose to follow Jesus, He has a plan that is exactly right for you. He knows what’s best for you. He has an adventure all lined up-It’s Time to CHANGE! And the best time to start is-
1. Start now. Remember where Jesus is calling you is better than where you are!
Today is the day! Simon and Andrew—at once, immediately. Start your workout today. Get a budget today. Begin working on that relationship- today Don’t just think about it- set up the appointment, call the counselor, today. Reading through the Bible in a year? —start today. … do what you need to do now!
2. Let Go. Change requires you to let go. Simon and Andrew left nets. They left family. They left their business. They dropped everything. When you choose to follow Jesus you will need to leave behind those things that will drag you back to where you are.
3. Get going. At once they left their nets and followed him. Mark 1:18 NIV
The left their nets and followed Him! They did it. They changed what they were doing. Change requires action. Just talking about it won’t get it done. Only praying about it won’t get it done. You need to do your part in what you are being called to change. "Pray as if everything depended on God. Work as if everything depended on you." Saint Augustine.
Change is a one-time decision with a daily commitment. Start now. Let go. Get going. Change is hard, but with God, change is possible.
Jesus’ call is: Follow Me. He’s asking you to drop everything. The disciples left their entire lives behind at the Lake. They chose to follow Jesus. Simon, Andrew, James and John reoriented their entire lives around Jesus. They did that because He’s that good. Living in His kingdom is better than where you are currently living. Doing life His way is better than your way.
Following Jesus is a one-time decision with a daily commitment. Don’t wimp out with excuses Jesus is the power that will transform you into the person that He created for you to be.
Change is hard. But With God, change is possible. Let’s go At Once into this New Year following Jesus!
