Change

Again

Well it’s spring again. It’s also quickly approaching graduation time. The trees and flowers are in full bloom and the transformation from the dormant state of winter to the long, hot days of summer is in full swing. 

If you have read my posts over the last several years you might note that I tend to get a bit nostalgic during these seasons of change during the year. With that in mind, I would like to think with you about some of the things that we know about change and how we should deal with change as believers.

Inevitable

Change is inevitable. This can be both good and bad. This obviously means that change cannot be avoided. Sometimes when things are going well or we are experiencing a truly sweet time of blessing in our lives we can wish that everything would just stay that way. However, in reality, since you and I have not yet lived in a world free from the presence and consequences of sin, to stop even at the best of moments is to rob ourselves of the future glory that we will inherit (2 Corinthians 4). It is also a reality that the coming struggles, trials, and even sufferings will be used by God to produce the kind of maturity and obedience that brings God ultimate glory (1 Peter 1:3-12). This is why we exist so we can know that God is going to help us to grow in Christ (Ephesians 4:11-16).

Beneficial

On the other hand, when we are going through things that are very hard and difficult we can trust in the fact that, while our God does not change, our circumstances do change. This means that we will have the benefit of seeing the gloomy clouds part and the sun shine again. We know that no suffering will endure forever because we have God’s promises as a sure and steady anchor for our souls (Hebrews 6:13-20).

We must understand that most of the things that we celebrate in life are the result of positive changes that the Lord has brought about in our lives. Change is the flow that causes our lives to be like a pure bubbling spring not a stagnant pond. The beauty of the transformation that the Lord brings to each person who is born again is the most amazing testimony of positive change (Romans 12:1-2). Also the blessing of new life that invigorates a family when a precious baby is born. Or consider when a child is adopted into loving, believing homes out a difficult or dangerous situation. Also, when we celebrate a high school or college graduation or a couple entering into the covenant of marriage. All of these things are examples of the benefits and blessings of change happening in our lives.

Unchangeable

But we also must remember that in a world so full of changes and developments, we can rest because our one constant is that our God does not change (James 1:17-18). He is unchanged by anything that happens or could happen. This should give us amazing confidence because we can trust Him to bring about the promises He has made because those promises haven’t changed. It is also true that we can know that the character of God is trustworthy because He is consistent in His perfect character. Because our God does not change we can trust Him with all the twists and turns of our life and our eternity (Hebrews 13:8).

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