Change

The lead up to the 2024 general election was a major theme of my last article and now we’re the other side of this significant moment for our country.

As was expected and forecast by many of the polls the Labour Party won by a landslide. Giving us a change of government for the first time in well over a decade.

Many political commentators have suggested Labour won the election based on one word. Change.

It was certainly the main theme of their election campaign.

It proved successful because it tapped into the public mood.

It’s been said that as much as Labour won this election it was one which the incumbent Conservative Party lost. Meaning after many years there was a great appetite from the electorate for the governing party to change.

Change is a funny thing. As was seen in this election it can be very positive. It comes with a sense of hope of a better future. It seems exciting. A chance for something new, something fresh.

Yet so many people if their honest would say they hate change. As humans we’re creatures of habit. We like routine, safety and quite often sticking to the status quo. Change can seem scary.

It all depends on your starting place. When life is going well we want it to stay just as it is.

When we’re going through the toils and challenges of life however change is something we long for.

Then there are times and seasons in our lives when we know we need change. When things simply cannot stay the same for our health and well-being. Whether it be due to damaging relationships, health challenges or even personal addictions sometimes change is vital.

It’s my privilege on Cross Rhythms Plymouth to present a show called Life Stories. As the name suggests it features a variety of guests sharing about sections of their lives. The commonality between them all is they’ve had their lives changed through personal encounters with God.

I’ve interviewed people who have faced all manner of difficulties as well as those for whom life seemed totally fine. For them all however they willingly shared on the station how Jesus has come to mean everything to them. Giving their lives more meaning than ever and reviving their hope for all that is to come in their futures.

Many of these interviews are publicly available to listen to on www.crossrhythms.co.uk/plymouth under the listen again section or you can watch them on the Cross Rhythms Plymouth YouTube channel.

If change is possible in their lives then it’s possible for you too.

This article was first published in the August editions of the Plymouth Chronicle.