"There are two options: Adapt or Die," the famous words of Andrew Grove, former CEO of Intel Corporation. If businesses don't adapt, they fade away...ask Blockbuster. "ADAPT means to make something suitable for a new use or purpose; to modify; to adjust to new conditions. Evolutionist Charles Darwin said, "It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change." The ability to adapt was key to Darwin's 'survival of the fittest.' Though most Christians would not deem themselves evolutionists—the need to adapt in our society is real. How easily do you adapt? We've seen tremendous change over the last 50 years. After moving from rotary to push button phones, we've adapted thru pagers, palms, and blackberries...to smart phones. We started with typewriters then moved to word processors. We then adapted to personal computers, the Commodore 64 and Macintosh. Now our phones are computers in our hands. Do you use gold, paper money, credit cards, or crypto currency? Are you in school, at work, or retired? I could go on about our need to adapt through life by changing, learning, and growing.

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." (Jeremiah 29:11) Did you know that this often quoted verse is an invitation for God's people to adapt to a long-term change in their environment and circumstances? The prophet announced that the Lord was going to allow Israel to be subject to 70 years of exile and captivity to the Babylonian Empire. After this 70-year period God promised to restore them to Jerusalem. In the meantime, they would have to adapt to their new surroundings and conditions as prisoners of war. During their time of captivity, they were to adapt: build houses, plant vineyards, marry, have children, and multiply. They were to pray that the city in which they were being held captive would have peace. (Vs. 5-6) Adapting meant finding ways to live and flourish in new and less than optimal conditions. Like the little plant that is somehow able to sprout in the desert; there are times we must adapt...tor die.