Do people change? I'm talking a major internal shift emotionally or mentally. Having very close ties to the ministry for the last ten years or so...well really since I can remember, I was convinced that no matter what 'man doesn't change'. This view was conceived out of years of disappointment, and letdown. The church I attend has been failing since it's formation in the 1850s. In my eight years here, I've seen attendance go from 30 to 80 to 50 back to 80 to 40 and now to about 25. People came, were converted, had their lives 'changed', began discipleship, only to slowly remove themselves, and eventually never to come back. Nothing that was said or done mattered. I've seen so many different people walk through the doors of the church. And they were 'changed', but they're not here now. It wasn't for real. It was all an act.
A close friend of mine was abused by her father when she was little. They were missionaries over in China (Needless to say, her father resigned from ministry). But my friend has carried that hurt inside, and refuses to let it go. Her past is too much with her. It controls her life. It's the underlying current that lurks in the shadows of every decision she makes. Maybe it's not possible for people to change, because no one is willing. If my friend were to move beyond her past, she would lose everything she is. She would lose her identity. Because her past defines her. My past defines me. I leave some, I take some, add and subtract. But I'm still me. I haven't changed.
So often I hear, "just pray for them, God will do the work", "the Holy Spirit is the only thing that can help man change", "without God, they will never change" but I haven't seen God change people. I've seen people predisposed to God. But I haven't seen someone change to fully embrace God. In my experiences with my church those who claim conversion have never lasted more than three years. I'm told that this is what church is, and what ministry is, but I want nothing to do with it.
So after that rambling mess, I think i would say that change is simply an illusion. Tennyson states it perfectly, "Let the great world spin forever down the ringing grooves of change".
Maybe the focus ought not be on a generality such as Humanity, but rather the centerpoint of your outlook, Christianity.
ReplyDeletePerhaps change is not measured in numbers or in observations, but rather in movement. I believe things: life, action, non-action, beliefs, people, everything... are in constant motion, change.
I am willing to assume with a fresh and new environment, as you stated that you have been in the same one (culturally and religiously speaking) for as long as you could remember, you will likely change your opinion on Humanity, and its ability to change positively. Essentially its ability to grow or better itself.
Cheers.
Yeah, I can only hope to grow and experience more of life. Maybe in a few years I'll think differently about the world and humanity. Hopefully, lol. My view is pretty dismal at this point.
ReplyDeleteHaha. Yeah, I must say... you're the darkest, driest Christian I've ever met. That's probably why I like you so much. lol.
ReplyDeletelol, yes. I'm the darkest, driest Christian I know too. My friends have learned to be very understanding! Needless to say, as soon as I open my mouth I tend to ostracize myself.
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