Change is Good

This week I did something a little different—I cut my hair short. Now, my mom is not a fan of me with short hair. She’s always preferred it long. But me? I love the ease of it. I’m also leaning into my natural curl, which feels a bit like letting God’s design just be what it is.

There’s a funny part to this story too. Before my gastric sleeve surgery—before I lost 170 pounds—shorter hair wasn’t really my friend. My face was rounder, and with the wrong cut I looked a little too much like a Q-tip. (And maybe I still do, who knows? I’m hoping when people see me on Sunday I won’t look like one!)

But here’s the truth: change has been a constant companion in my life. I grew up moving with my dad serving in the military. Later, as an itinerant UMC pastor, I moved from church to church as I was called to serve. In fact, the longest I’ve ever lived in one place is six years. Somewhere deep down, I get a little antsy if I stay too long in one place.

So it probably makes sense that I like to change things up—whether that’s my home, my ministry, or even my hair. Change gives me energy. It reminds me that life isn’t meant to stay static.

And isn’t that true in our lives of faith too? God doesn’t call us to stay exactly the same. Sometimes change is subtle—like learning to pray in a new way or opening our hearts a little wider. Sometimes it’s drastic—like a new haircut, a new home, or even a whole new way of seeing ourselves.

The Apostle Paul reminds us that in Christ we are a “new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17). That doesn’t mean we only get one makeover; it means God is always at work reshaping us, refining us, and helping us live more fully into who we were created to be.

So this week, if you see me with shorter hair and a little more curl, just know I’m embracing change. And maybe it’s an invitation for you too: What new thing is God doing in your life? Where are you being nudged to take a step of courage, to lean into the “new creation” God is shaping in you?

Change is good.  See you Sunday!

Peace, Pastor Tracy