Life Brings Many Changes

 August 27, 2000

Many changes occur in a lifetime. Children are born, grow up and leave the nest. Job transfers require new situations. Long time neighbors and friends move away. Retirement brings changes in lifestyles. The losses of loved ones require painful adjustments.

Life is a series of changes. I don't like changes. I want everything to stay the same. Before I retired, I felt that my school room belonged to me. Now, I realize that I just filled up space in that room for a span of time. I cannot go back and relive that span of time. Knowing that makes the time I live today and the way I live it all the more important. Life brings changes and we often feel uprooted. There are very few, if any, circumstances that remain stable.

There is, however, One that never changes. Jesus is the same, yesterday, today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8) His presence helps handle changes in our lives. The Israelites were constantly facing changes. God's continual presence enabled them to persevere and conquer the changes in their lives.  How true of us today. Only with God's abiding presence can we face and  work through the changes in our lives.

God is the solid foundation that never changes. God's children can be confident that God is in complete control of the events of their lives.  Being thankful and praising Him for His goodness and His many blessings displays a trusting, humble heart in Him.  David had multiple changes in his life. Even those who loved him changed.  His friends and his own son betrayed him. Their love changed  dramatically. But David knew his God. He lived by Psalm 100:5: "For the LORD is good and his love endures forever, his faithfulness continues through all generations." (NIV)

Experiencing changes is a fact of life. Knowing God and trusting Him brings rest and peace in life's adversity. God brings inner changes as He works on our actions and attitudes: "It is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose" (Philippians 2:13). (NIV) This requires humility and a willingness to follow Him. We look on the outside, but God sees the heart and that matters a lot to Him. Through courage and faithfulness we press on, knowing that we are never alone.

I have known many who, through adversity, never gave up. They kept their faith and trust in God through the changes in their lives. These are the real "heroes." I see them every day. By their example, they leave a wealth of wisdom, courage and faith. I shall never forget a dear saint who made friends with my aunts in the rest home. At 93, she was joyful, happy and thankful. She felt so blessed to be in a place where people took care of her. Hear her classic statement: "Honey, happiness is where God is!"  Somewhere in my childhood memories, I can hear my grandmother singing, "Hold to God's Unchanging Hand." * That hymn comes back to me in the hard places in my life. I am thankful for that "hymn" but even more thankful for "Him!"