When Leopards Change Their Spots

There is an old saying, “A leopard never changes its spots.” In other words, people don’t change. That, however, does not appear to be God’s attitude. God constantly calls for our transformation, showing us a new way—a way of love and peace and hope, a way that changes us and makes us new.

Today’s story is one of many examples in scripture of changed lives. Jonah didn’t believe that his enemies in Nineveh could change. In fact, he hoped that they wouldn’t change. He wanted God to punish them for their evil, warring ways. His sermon, however, was more powerful than he imagined. The people came to believe in God, and their lives were changed. Their king told them to join him in calling fervently on God. God saw that the people’s hate-filled ways had stopped. As a result, God rescinded the plan for their destruction and forgave them. These Assyrian leopards had changed their spots.

God is a God of transformation and forgiveness and love. The hateful can become loving. The liar can become truthful. The disdainful can become respectful. With God leading the way, transformation can and does happen. Sometimes we are the leopards who are called to change our spots. Thanks be to God for the forgiving love that relentlessly pursues us and gives us second chances. Because of God’s mercy and grace, we sinful leopards can change our spots too.