The Difficult Process of Change
The Difficult Process of Change: What Spiritual Growth Really Looks Like
Change is never easy. Whether it’s outgrowing our favorite pair of jeans, moving to a new city, or experiencing spiritual transformation, the process is often a blend of excitement and sadness, longing and hope. In a recent sermon titled “The Difficult Process Of Change,” Charlie Wallace explores what true spiritual change looks like — not just in theory, but in the gritty reality of daily life.
Let’s unpack some powerful lessons from this teaching on why change is challenging, the spiritual ‘wardrobe swap’ we’re all called to make, and how we can embrace growth, even when it hurts.
Outgrowing the Old: The Spiritual Wardrobe Metaphor
As seasons change, so do our needs. Charlie Wallace opens with a heartwarming and relatable story — transitioning his youngest child’s wardrobe as he outgrew his old clothes. Much like children quickly outgrow pajamas or shirts, our spiritual lives also demand new “clothes” as we grow. This metaphor beautifully illustrates a vital truth: what fit us before (old choices, passions, habits) may no longer suit us as we become the people God calls us to be.
The excitement of growth is often paired with a twinge of sadness — nostalgia for what was, or anxiety over what’s next. As parents, we rejoice in our children’s milestones, but sometimes we mourn the moments we didn’t know were “lasts.” Similarly, spiritual growth involves letting go of comfortable patterns, with all the bittersweetness that entails.
The Reality of Spiritual Transformation: The Process of Change
One of the most honest takeaways from Charlie Wallace’s sermon is that change is a process, not an event. Spiritual transformation takes time and often doesn’t happen in a straight, predictable line. We outgrow some things quickly, but some things are harder to leave behind.
So what makes spiritual change so difficult? Our discussion can be framed around three truths revealed in the life of Jesus and his disciples, as recounted in the Gospel of Luke.
1. As We Change, We Will Experience Rerouting
Just like a GPS recalculating when we miss a turn, spiritual growth often means being “rerouted” from our plans to God’s purposes. Charlie Wallace points to Luke 9:51, where Jesus “set his face to go to Jerusalem,” shifting from the relative comfort of Galilee to face his ultimate mission, knowing Jerusalem meant the cross.
This rerouting manifests in several ways:
From Comfort to the Cross: Growth pulls us out of what’s familiar and safe, stretching us toward sacrifice, surrender, and faith.
From Hating to Loving Enemies: The path of Christ requires us to let go of old prejudices. Jesus reroutes us from natural hostility to supernatural love — even for those we’d prefer to avoid.
From Our Plan to His Mission: Proverbs 16:9 reminds us that “the heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” We might have a five-year plan (or a lifetime’s worth), but God often redirects us so our lives align with his greater purposes.
Embracing spiritual change means expecting — and accepting — divine rerouting, even when it doesn’t make sense from our limited perspective.
2. As We Change, We Will Face Rejection
Not everyone is eager to cheer us on as we move closer to God’s heart. When Jesus and his disciples traveled through Samaria (Luke 9:53), they were rejected outright. Even though Jesus came with love, some hearts were not ready to receive him.
Charlie Wallace candidly shares that as we set our faces toward Jesus, rejection is inevitable:
We Expose Sin and False Comforts: Living in the light reveals darkness. Our new priorities can unintentionally shine a spotlight on others’ compromises, prompting discomfort or even hostility.
We Expose the World’s Emptiness: As our allegiances shift from worldly values to eternal ones, it exposes the world’s inability to deliver true fulfillment, which can unsettle those around us.
People Don’t Understand Our Purpose: Spiritual realities often seem like folly to those not walking with God. As a result, our motivations and convictions might seem bizarre or even foolish.
The Real Target is Jesus: Rejection isn’t personal — it’s spiritual. “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you” (John 15:18). When people push back against our faith, they’re ultimately resisting the source of that faith.
This sobering reality helps explain why pursuing God sometimes feels isolating. You’re not necessarily doing it wrong — in fact, facing rejection might mean you’re right where you need to be.
3. As We Change, We Will Make Mistakes
Maybe the most encouraging point in Charlie Wallace’s sermon is this: none of us gets it all right. Even the disciples — those closest to Jesus — made embarrassing mistakes.
When the Samaritans rejected Jesus, James and John wanted to retaliate with fire from heaven, citing the prophet Elijah as precedent. But Jesus rebuked them (Luke 9:55). They misunderstood Scripture, misapplied spiritual authority, and let anger dictate their actions. Sound familiar?
Why do we make mistakes in our spiritual journey?
We Misunderstand God’s Purpose: We assume following Jesus means things will be easy or fair. When hardship or rejection comes, we panic or lash out, not realizing God has a redemptive plan even in our troubles.
We Let Emotions Drive Us: Righteous anger can quickly become unrighteous when unchecked. Spiritual zeal needs the guidance of the Holy Spirit, not personal vendettas.
We Misapply Scripture: It’s easy to grab a Bible verse out of context and use it to justify our own agenda. But scripture requires careful, humble handling.
Mistakes are not disqualifications. They’re part of the process. We learn, we grow, we move forward.
Embracing the “New Clothes” of Christ
The ultimate encouragement from Charlie Wallace’s message is the call to put on the “new clothes” of our Christian identity. Maybe you’re like the child still squeezing into last year’s too-small shirt — the old habits, grudges, or ways of doing life don’t fit anymore. God calls us, gently and persistently, to step into a new way of living.
But new clothes can feel odd at first! Change is both exhilarating and uncomfortable. Growth often means leaving behind what’s familiar and risking what’s new, trusting that God’s grace is enough for every step.
As the Christmas season approaches, perhaps it’s time to consider what “wardrobe changes” God is inviting you to make. What old habits, attitudes, or identities need to be retired? What does it look like to let go and trust him, even when the process is hard?
Key Takeaways
Change is a process, not an instant act.
Expect divine rerouting as you follow God — from comfort to purpose, from bitterness to love, from your plan to his.
Anticipate rejection, not as punishment, but as a badge of alignment with Christ.
Be patient with yourself when you stumble. Mistakes mean you’re in the game, not on the sidelines.
Step boldly into your new identity in Christ. God’s “wardrobe” for you — of grace, love, and purpose — fits better than anything you’ll leave behind.
Ready to embrace the difficult but beautiful process of spiritual change? You’re in good company — and God’s grace is with you every step of the way.
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