Keep the Change!

Some folks, who aren’t nearly as cheap as I happen to be, frequently use the title expression in dealings involving minor amounts. Is it their generous nature or refusal to be bothered pocketing minor sums, which provokes such largesse? It may be a quote popularized by movies, books and television. It is possible they recognize the insignificance of these paltry sums and can’t be bothered. Whatever; “keep the change” fully demonstrates to the average bear a symbol of dealing with an otherwise useless entity. At least the change shown below bears the words: “In God We Trust.”

I bring this up because several prospective presidential candidates have adopted this poor abused word as the hallmark of their campaigns. “Choose me and I shall bring change!” “It’s time for change!” “It’s all about change!” Since no two peas in this pod of contenders have exact similarity, it seems to me that change will be inevitable regardless of the claims. Oh yes, there is a very general relationship between a couple of them but exactitude is conspicuously missing.

While discussing the nebulous issue of change, they manage to avoid being pinned down on the specifics of what their actual programs may be to effect their promised result. Since they all claim unlimited experience what would be their track records for believing them? Can they point with pride to legislation (they are all senators) they brought to the floor? Can they generate enthusiasm for the concept of their having authored governmental reforms which benefited the entirety of the American people? The rawest expression of senatorial power is the vote, which they have cast on various issues. Was each of them scrupulously present to exercise that power?

About thirty years ago, I had occasion to be on the campus of Louisiana Tech in Ruston, during one of their perpetual election cycles. I stopped to listen to one of the candidates for governor and he came up with a very interesting observation. He said in essence that the crowd should get comfortable with the idea that they would be electing a politician to fill the office. Their kindly family physician, trusted family lawyer, and the nice guy at the hardware store were not in the race. They were too busy setting broken legs, transferring property and finding the right screw for a project to be bothered with governance. He assured the multitude (thirty or forty people) that the only ones after the job he sought were going to be politicians. He then outlined the reasons why he was the exact perfect choice to be that guy. I found this acknowledgement of an absolute truth to be most welcome. In no way did he ever mention the word change because in his professional expertise he knew that policy and procedure trumped some ill-defined ethereal concept. I voted for him.

There is a general appeal to these “feel good” concepts with no basis in carefully constructed programs. Change will never take place without action. Action requires thought and planning to be successful. We can easily carry this over to evaluation of those who would lead the church as well. While they don’t openly state their intentions as change, they have a subliminal message which identifies it. We are constantly assaulted with ideas from on high (lower case!) with variations from well established doctrines. We are encouraged to ignore the established order of 175 years to achieve the goals of men today. The dissolution and contention within the body which started forty years ago was a direct result of creeping change within the vital functions of the World Church. Altered Sunday school curricula, gender equality in the priesthood, and recognition of variant lifestyle all represented features which offered unwelcome change to many of the faithful. Small wonder they left in droves.

We have a God who does not change. His constancy is the rock we Christians lean on. It gives us the strength to carry on in a difficult world. Why would we sucker in to a pitch by a man or a group of men to attempt to alter His teachings in the written word? Are we so bored that we insist that strife and contention be ever present to enliven our dull lives? This morning the pastor was reading from The Book of Acts, and as I followed along I could understand those who did not have the gospel distrusting the words of Paul during the storm (Chapter 23.) At least they had a partial excuse. I contrasted that with opportunities in scripture we have all had to become acquainted with the word of God. He is faultless and everlasting and therefore not subject to change.

To return to the aspiring candidates we have an equally penetrating question. When we have a successful government which is the envy of the planet why in the world would we want to change it? With a Godgiven Constitution as a guide should we be seeking some “pie-in-the sky” system of varying grades of socialism to inflict upon our peoples the follies of already tried and failed systems? Rock star Messiah, socialist vet, and shrill ex-White House harridan; all of them need to take a deep breath and consider reinforcing those values and attitudes which have made us great.

As for me, no thanks; just keep the change.

In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon