Hope in Change

In the city of Ephesus about 500 BC, there was a Greek philosopher by the name of Heraclitus. He is credited with the saying; “The only constant in life is change”. This quote has been passed along and requoted for over 2500 years, and there is truth in it. We can see through our lifespan from diapers to depends, change happens. Sometimes we have a voice in the change, other times (most of the time) it is thrust upon us.

There were some changes in my life that called for celebration… Getting my driver’s license, graduation, marriage, having children… But there were some changes that had an edge of pain to them… moving, surgeries, death of loved ones, division in the family. Even change that has been hoped for can have a twinge of grief. The decision that my wife and I made to have children. We were blessed with three beautiful daughters. We enjoyed our time spent with them, raising them, loving them. Then, one by one, they grew up, moved away, and started living their own life. They are doing exactly what we wanted them to do, but there is a part of me that grieves the change. Even perceptions change! Growing up, Psalm 90:10 was just a verse in the Bible (10 The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away.) Today, it is a very weighty life verse, literally! And then, there are the changes occurring in our world, politically, morally, physically, etc. that are well beyond our control or influence, and sometimes all we can do is be spectators with most of it.

However, the greatest hope we have in this ever-changing world is a never changing God. Malachi 3:6 begins with “For I the LORD do not change” . When we focus on change, we can begin to be discontent, fearful and/or frustrated. But, when we focus on the Lord, we can find comfort in His presence and love. As it says in Psalm 90:14, “satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.”  

Another scripture came to mind as I was thinking on this theme of hope in change is Psalm 46:

1 God is our refuge and strength, 
a very present help in trouble. 
2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, 
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, 
3 though its waters roar and foam, 
though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah 
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, 
the holy habitation of the Most High. 
5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; 
God will help her when morning dawns. 
6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; 
he utters his voice, the earth melts. 
7 The LORD of hosts is with us; 
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah 
8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, 
how he has brought desolations on the earth. 
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; 
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; 
he burns the chariots with fire. 
10 “Be still, and know that I am God. 
I will be exalted among the nations, 
I will be exalted in the earth!” 
11 The LORD of hosts is with us; 
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah 

As Heraclitus said, change is constant in this life, except when it comes to our wonderful immutable God. He is changeless, constant, comforting. He is with us!