GOD: Timeless and Unchanging

Things change…  There’s immense, irrefutable, and definitive truth found in those two simple words.  When looking through the lens of our life, it might appear that we are traveling upside down on a very fast and very rough roller coaster.  The ride may not always be comfortable, but the constantly changing landscape, often viewed from an inverted position, keeps the journey interesting.  Seldom can we become really comfortable with any aspect of life, because it tends to alter course so frequently.  Some of that change is good, and some of that change may fall way short of being good in our eyes.  I don’t know that I’ve necessarily become accustomed to the often uncomfortable ride, but my toleration of it has increased over the years.  Frankly, I’ve grown to expect change…and I’m to the point that I almost embrace it.

Looking back over my life, so many people that I would have, at one time or another, undoubtedly classified into the category of “lifelong friends” have changed into simple acquaintances…or even less.  So, my friendships have changed, and most of my interests have changed as well.  I’m no longer the avid golfer that I once was, and my bank account is better for it.  Over the past fifteen years, the view from my front door has changed consistently…sadly, about every three years.  It’s not always easy, but, at the end of the day, God has made certain that I am well traveled.  Over time, my opinions have changed, honed and rationalized by years of experiences, both good and bad.  I am not the same person that I was ten years ago, or five, or even three…  Some of the differences are subtle, and some of them are much more profound.  The constant in this life is that things inevitably change; people change; friends change; locations change, and it’s up to us to place it all in a stable perspective.  

A friend of mine from high school unexpectedly lost her father yesterday evening.  On October 14th of last year, I was very close to losing my own dad, due to heart failure.  Many people today woke up realizing that their life would forever be altered because of the death of a loved one.  Another close friend has a child who recently experienced a traumatic brain injury.  Her life, as well as the life of her child and family, has changed forever.  People die, health changes, jobs change, friendships change, and, as quickly as the seasons pass, life takes on another new course that’s very seldom under our complete control.  We're simply along for the ride.  Bring some snacks and a good helmet...  

As we are squeezed by the instability of life’s often difficult path, we need a foundation.

I have embraced change as a fact of life, and I’ve come to realize that I can only effectively view this journey by grounding everything on one foundational perspective, and that perspective is God.  You see, God is the only constant; He never changes.

Malachi 3:6 states, “I, the Lord, do not change…”  

Hebrews 13:8 tell us, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

James 1:17 says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”    

Robert Sterling wrote a song many years ago that was first recored by Janet Paschal. 
It’s called “Jesus Will Still Be There.”  It’s one of my top three favorite songs of all time, and the message it contains is a realization that I have come to find favorable to my own peace and stability when changes come.  

The lyrics are profound…

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Things change, plans fail
You look for love on a grander scale
Storms rise, hopes fade
and you place your bets on another day
When the going gets tough, when the ride's too rough
when you're just not sure enough

Jesus will still be there
His love will never change
Sure as a steady rain
Jesus will still be there
When no one else is true
He'll still be lovin' you
When it looks like you've lost it all
And you haven't got a prayer
Jesus will still be there

Time flies, hearts turn
a little bit wiser from lessons learned
But sometimes weakness wins
and you lose your foothold once again
When the going gets tough, when the ride's too rough
when you're just not sure enough

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Changes in our life are assured.  Life is seldom fair, friendships can be superficial and fleeting, health can diminish, etc…but, my friends, God is always there, and He’s unchanging and relentlessly in pursuit of us.  Our world can become turned and twisted, and that contortion of life can cause us to lose focus on the one reality we need never forget…the reality that God is by our side to bring hope, healing, and stability within the wreckage that so often accompanies change.

“So do not fear, for I am with you;
 do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
– Isaiah 41:10 –

Sometimes, it can all just become too much.  If you've never reached that point, then you may not be pursuing life with passion, but, if you have, then you will understand the heart's cry of the Psalmist, which is my prayer for you and me on this day...

“From the ends of the earth I call to you,
I call as my heart grows faint;
lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”
– Psalm 61:2 –

And forever, let God receive the glory through the journey…regardless of how rough the ride may become.