When You Don't Like Change

Scripture Reading: James 4:1-11

              Some years ago, Tyke, a 21-year-old circus elephant, went on a rampage in Honolulu. Nobody knew what set him off. The best explanation was he had a new trainer and he didn’t care for him. He killed the trainer, so that made sense. It wasn’t what you would call positive feedback on the trainer or his methods.

              Nobody likes change. Not even elephants. Still, it does seem to be a bit of an overreaction to stomp and man to death and run out into the streets wreaking havoc and get yourself killed (Yes, they had to put Tyke down). I know elephants can’t talk, but one would think Tyke could have expressed his displeasure more constructively. Maybe a few loud trumpet blasts, refusing to obey, or a hunger strike would have gotten the point across.

              We can act like Tyke too. When we get upset, when things change (or when they don’t change fast enough for us), or when we don’t get our way about how the change goes, we can overreact. It is legit to speak up about what you don’t like or how you might disagree with the way things are going. What isn’t legit is doing a Tyke on everyone. When we vent our displeasure in a way that destroys and damages, rather than edifies or helps then we’ve taken the wrong approach.

              There is a place for reasoned opposition. Protest, alternative suggestions…all that is good stuff. Tearing down the tent, not so much. James said, “be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath.” That was good advice 2,000 years ago and it still is today.