Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:16-17
Changes. Among the top major life changes are: job change, moving, marriage (or divorce), birth or adoption of a new child, children moving out of the “nestâ€, death of a loved one, or illness. Just one of these major life changes is a lot to handle, but I would venture to say that most of you have endured multiple major life changes all at once. We did when my husband received his assignment out of Seminary. Job change – check. Moving – check. The birth of our third child just weeks after our move and his ordination – check. And then just 5 months later my grandfather died and went to meet Jesus. Talk about stressors in life – not all of them bad or unhealthy, but stressors nonetheless. Stress—good or bad—puts a certain amount of strain on our bodies. Sleep can be affected, routine is often thrown off kilter and emotions run high.
Fall is in the air and school is back in session. All around us, changes are taking place. My family and I just took our oldest to high school, our youngest started school and I started working at school after a 14-year career of being at home for my family. Even if you are not going through a major life change right now, you no doubt have something changing around you. You’ve likely heard it said: The only thing in life that stays the same is that it changes. But that’s not true, is it?
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8
Sometimes we can fall into our pity party and start questioning God about the changes in our lives. Doesn’t he know that I like my life the way it is right now? Doesn’t he understand that I can’t handle any more life changes? Why the change, God, why? It’s in these times that we need to recognize that we are selfishly looking inward. We do not have God’s will in mind when we wallow in our self-pity. God has a greater purpose in mind for all of us. He called you to be part of his holy family and his ultimate goal is for you to be in heaven with him. All your days were ordained by God before you even came into existence. Anything that happens to you, God ordains; God allows it to happen. Not just because, but because he wants to use it for his greater purpose – for our eternal good.
We won’t always know what that purpose is. Maybe you were diagnosed with an illness because God knew that you would take the opportunity to witness to the doctor who treated you or help encourage others who may have similar struggles. Maybe your husband’s new Call is putting more strain on the family than originally anticipated, but God is using that to have you and your family cling tighter to him. Whatever the case, we can be comforted in knowing that God does not change. He never has, he isn’t now and he never will. He promises that to us and has always kept his promises!
When we find our eyebrows furrowing, our arms crossing, our feet stomping and our minds being closed off to change, that can often lead to doubt in God to work things out for our good. If that happens, we will plead for God’s mercy and forgiveness and ask him for any strength we might need to face the changes in life because we are convinced they are for our eternal good. We rest assured that, even if everything in our lives seems to be changing, we can lean into the arms of an un-changing God.
“I the LORD do not change.†Malachi 3:6
Ask the Lord
Forgive me, Lord, for the times I doubt your plan for my life. Lead me to quiet waters where I rest in your promises. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
