Change

“...constant through the trial and the change, one thing remains...”

I’m just now realizing how much God loves change and variety Just look around – at yourself, your friends, your neighborhood – every one and everything is changing. In small ways – a new hairstyle, a change of clothes – or in larger ways – in learning to play a musical instrument, cook new foods, speak a new language or build a new building.

In God’s created world, change was how it all began. Out of chaos: Light, Dark; a vault (space) to separate the waters; land and sea, plants and trees; sun, moon and stars; creatures in the water, birds in the air; all the animals and creatures on the land; and finally, man and woman. Gen 1:3-27

Have you ever watched a flower open from bud into a blossom? It can happen in 90 minutes at twilight for some flowers. Seen maize grow several inches in just 1 day? Watched a baby roll over, a toddler take her first steps or a young child speak his first full sentence? Change all around us! All the time!

Let’s get a little perspective in this matter. About 500,000 years ago, the mountains in Western Uganda rose up enough to block the rivers flowing from Uganda (through what is now DRC) on their way out to the Atlantic Ocean. Water then collected in an area larger and deeper (100 meters deeper) than Lake Victoria is today. There were 7 small islands, now known as the 7 hills of Kampala.

About 30,000 years ago, another tectonic lift in the west forced water to exit Lake Victoria near Jinja, creating the River Nile as we know it today.

About 2,300 years ago, the author of Ecclesiastes wrote “There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Ecc 3:1 People saw that change happens, sometimes in cycles or seasons Change comes whether we want it or not.

The thing about change – as a Ugandan proverb says – change changes Each change affects and effects other changes. Sometimes the ripple effect is hard to predict or goes on longer than we can imagine. When we chose to indulge in a sin, there are consequences that we have to live with. Choosing to eat food that isn’t healthy might add weight to our bodies or tip us over into diabetes. On the other hand, when we chose to follow Christ, there are many more changes coming our way: to be more gentle, thoughtful, helpful, kind and loving Each of those choices leads to other changes as well.

It is almost as if God created this entire world as a classroom or laboratory for us in which to play and learn. He made each of us unique, with different talents, gifts, blessings and challenges. He has given us all we need to develop and blossom into the full life in Christ He’s planned for us. 

In spite of all the activity and changes around us, one thing remains, constant in the trial and the change – God’s Love and character don’t change. The Creator of the Universe holds steady, never giving up on any of us, no matter how tough life seems, no matter the fierceness of the storms around, He holds us secure. When we chose to hold fast to Him, His Word and plan, we are guided through the changes into His arms. His love never fails, never gives up, never runs out. He who made all this change, has plans to bless us with all the fullness of His blessing. “I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future: Jer 29:11

God even allowed change to come to Jesus. “But when the set time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, to redeem those under the Law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.” Gal 4:4-5   Jesus walked in this world of change, without being changed by it. He did and said the will of His Father and changed the course of history and our lives.

For the past 2 years, the world has faced not only wars, famines, extreme weather events but also plagues that are just now beginning to be prevented by vaccines, mask wearing and social distance keeping. We become used to the changes we see everyday and think that all will be as it has been before. But God...loves change and variety. He wants so much for us to grow into His likeness, to love and know Him, that He gives us each day, a chance to ask Him for wisdom, understanding, faith, courage, whatever we need.

Without change, we can never become the person He created us to be. We are not the same as when were born. Some of us are not as were at  40, 50 or even 60! In God, there is much to become, ever seeking Him and His Kingdom. It is not for us to say “When the lockdown is over, I will do ….” Rather we need, in this day, to ask God “What will you have me do today? How may I serve You?” That is the act we can chose in the midst of change that moves us closer to God.

God Himself does not change He is ever faithful, just, true, loving, blessing. He is always, ever working for our good, blessing us whether we see it or feel it. God does not tire of doing good for His children, in encouraging, feeding, healing them. In the face of all the change around us, there is room for joy in the great beauty and variety in the natural world. There is always room for prayer in the face of storms and natural and manmade disasters. There is no need or place for fear or anxiety as God is in control and has promised to protect us. We simply need to stay close to Him.

Change does bring changes. Our choice is to always, ever seek God and His will. We will then grow to become more like Christ and bring Glory to God. God who is constant in the trial and the change.

QUESTIONS:

- Where do you see change in yourself?

- What change is God making in your life and choices?

PRAYER POINTS

- for people walking in fear or anxiety to see God – bigger than the mountains they face

- for people wanting to be free from changes, to rejoice in what God brings to their life; to see the blessings He pours down on them and through them to others