Janita Krayniak

By definition reformation is: The action or process of reforming an institution or practice. As we approach the last days in October, we also approach the day we choose to remember the Protestant Reformation. Digging into the history of Martin Luther, he apparently did not want to start something new. He intended to only reform the church tradition he was a part of into something that reflected change. That got me thinking about how difficult reformation truly is. In this case an entire sect of protestantism was created, rather than the reformation of the existing Catholic church.

I know this may come as a shock to many of you (sarcasm intended), but we (myself included) are creatures of habit, preferring the safety and comfort of familiar routines. When we are faced with change, all too often there is anxiety, uncertainty and we may even feel overwhelmed. Change creates discomfort in the system and adapting to change takes a lot of energy and a lot of effort. So much energy and effort that oftentimes it is easier to walk away from the impending change, doing something completely different rather than to stay engaged in the difficult and arduous process of changing the organization from within.  

The Bible does try to prepare us for change. In Isaiah 43:19, the scripture says, “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”  

Then in the Psalms, it says in Chapter 32, verse 8, “The Lord says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.’”  

How comforting this is to know that God is literally out there making a way for each of us, and even watching over us! But we must stay on the path that is laid before us, even when that path is long, even when that path is hard to see or even understand.  

In 2 Corinthians 5:7 the scripture says, “For we live by believing and not by seeing.”  

We walk by faith … not by sight! We walk the path the Holy Spirit illuminates for us. We must trust that God has our best interests at heart and that reformation, even when difficult, is sometimes necessary. Quoting friends from the Reformed Tradition, they often say, “We are still reforming!”  

Indeed we are reforming each and every time we take a step in faith along the path God creates through the wilderness. In this season of fear and uncertainty, in this season of change and reformation, we must trust in the certainty that God is with us, we have never been alone, thanks be to God!     

(Janita Krayniak is the pastor of the First United Methodist Church in Powell and United Methodist Church in Lovell.)