Dear Rose Park,
There’s been a change in the traffic etiquette at the intersection of Riley and Butternut. If I can say it, this is one of the funkiest intersections in all of Holland (maybe only second to the 32nd Street, Lincoln Avenue, & State Street intersection). I don’t have any facts to back this up, but I can only imagine the amount of accidents that have occurred at Riley & Butternut because of all the complexities (blind turns, awkward angles, narrow turning lanes, etc.). The change is this: if you are driving west on Riley and come to a red light at Butternut, you are NOT ALLOWED to turn right on red. This change has come within the last few weeks or so and naturally it has been received with the cold shoulder.
As I walk Rudy by this intersection almost every day, we see plenty of cars simply come to a stop, look at the sign, disregard the sign, and take the right turn. We’ve even seen a few who simply tap their brakes once or twice and veer north on Butternut as if the new sign didn’t even exist. I bring this to your attention NOT to point the finger at potentially dangerous drivers (I’ve had my fair share of foolish driving moments), but rather to illuminate for us the difficulty we all have in embracing change.
We’re all familiar with the old saying, ‘the only constant is change.’ Our minds know this to be true, but it can still be difficult for our hearts to embrace this truth. We can call it transformation or evolving, but at the end of the day we’re still changing and change is difficult. It’s difficult because it involves a sacrifice of what was and an embrace of what is or what will be. We see this dynamic at play on athletic teams, in the corporate office, during PTO and School Board meetings, and even in the hallowed walls of the Church. Change is difficult for us all.
However, it doesn’t have to be as difficult if our eyes are drawn to the greater purpose or vision. We’re more willing to accept the change at work if we know the greater purpose is to become more efficient and raise employee/customer satisfaction. We’re more willing to accept the change at school if we know the greater purpose is to better prepare our children. We’re more willing to accept the change at church if we know the greater purpose is to extend the grace and truth of Jesus to new people. And we’re more willing to accept the change of traffic etiquette if we know the greater purpose is to keep our children and loved ones safe.
Change is difficult, but it doesn’t have to be as difficult if our eyes are drawn to the greater purpose and vision. At Rose Park it is our purpose and vision to connect the disconnected, to empower the connected, and to reconcile all things to God. If our eyes and hearts can be continually drawn to this purpose and vision, then we will be able to faithfully navigate all the hills and valleys that are bound to come.
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Mark