Change

Change is hard.  There are a lot of changes happening this week with the attempts to forestall the spread of the Coronavirus.  Almost every large gathering is being cancelled.  Schools are being cancelled.  Entertainment events, sports events, meetings, even work-related gatherings.  It's truly March Madness.  And March Madness is cancelled!  How dare they.  Our lives are in fruit basket upset.  Change is hard.

I like this picture I took last summer at the Oregon Coast.  It's taken from Cape Arago State Park.  One of the reasons we like to hike the Oregon Coast so much, I think, is that in some respects the coast never changes.  The ocean waves keep coming.  The sand is always there.  Of course, there is always the beautiful changes of the seasons and the changing landscape over time, but the constancy of the waves keeps bringing us back.

In the same way, God never changes.  In the midst of difficult change, God remains the same.  We can count on His constancy.  Hebrews 13:8 says, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever."  All praise to Him!  Malachi 3:6 says, "For I, the Lord, do not change."  All praise to Him!  Psalm 102:27 says, "But You remain the same and your years will never end."  All praise to Him!  In theology we call this the immutability of God.  He is unchanging.

As I think about all the changes happening this week, I pray for all of us.  I'm asking God to help us not be worried or anxious or discouraged.  It will sneak up on you.  Just when you think you're doing fine, suddenly one more change will kind of push you over the edge into fear.  We tend to like routine; or at least we find comfort in routine.  So when the routine of our lives is disrupted, our peace slips away into fret.

Of course, the changes in church right now tempt me to worry.  I hate the idea of not gathering together on Sunday.  The decision to do that was the hardest decision we've had to make in our church plans in years.  And the uncertainty of the next few weeks and months will continue to tempt me to worry.  And not because I am fearful about getting the Coronavirus.  Not at all.  But rather, the worry of how this will affect the wonderful routines of our church. 

So, the temptation to worry is present.  You cannot deny it.  But we go to a deeper place with our faith.  We go to the deep places of God in His Word.  We listen to the voice of God by meeting Him in His Word, the Bible.  This is our solid Rock in the midst of change.

I love the words of James 1:17... "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."  Not only is God immutable, but because of His immutability He will always bless us with His good and perfect gifts.  All praise to Him!

So, what changes are happening in your life?  Leave a comment if you feel so moved.