The Only Thing That Remains Unchanged

Graduating from college I'm coming to the realization day by day that everything changes. Good things, bad things, things you want to change, things you don't want to change, external things, internal things, things you plan for, and things that come unexpectedly. Some change comes subtly and is laid piece by piece over a long period of time (the things of the heart: character, relationship) and some comes quickly and mercilessly (the things of the world: responsibility, brokenness). The reality is that it is impossible to not change, there is no static position where we can sit down and take a breather and look at everything perfectly in place, because God wants us to change while He sustains. Looking at my life over the past few months I am overwhelmed by the alterations that being an adult has put into place. From car insurance to cell phone bills, every day tags on a little more responsibility to post college life. The phrase that has been running through my head in the midst of it all is that, in the midst of a world that is always changing, God is the only thing that remains unchanged.

So many times in my life there have been seasons or specific moments when I wish I could just freeze frame and wake up every day to have it be like that. Like in Joshua when God makes the sun stand still in the sky. But then I wake up the next day to find something new and better and different... something I never would have experienced had I stayed in that perfect moment. More and more I come to think that there is purpose behind why we as humans change. Let me use an analogy: as an artist, I have learned about the different elements of design... the things that make art dynamic and powerful and more than just ink on paper. One of these elements is contrast, and I believe the contrast of us as humans always changing and God remaining unchanged makes our lives and our relationship with God all the more powerful. It gives us peace; like sitting around a campfire and watching the flames lick around the wood while you sit unmoving in the dark, or like standing on a river bank watching the water flow by while you stand firm on solid ground. We were created to change, to move, to be transformed more into the image of our Creator. He indeed is our Solid Rock, our strong tower, our refuge in the storm. Change has new meaning when it's wrapped in the reality of God's love. We have to trust Him with change. To believe in His faithfulness, to make ourselves available to His working in us and through us. We have to live with open hands. When I was in South Africa during the month of May, we had the opportunity to hear the testimony of one of the missionaries we were working with. She, for the first time, really showed me the necessity of living life with hands wide open. Not clinging to our talents, dreams, relationships, hopes, normals, or possessions; but holding everything in the palm of our hands up to God. He is the One who gives and takes away, we don't have control. And instead of holding tight to the things that we know will change (which make us anxious, fearful, and frustrated), let us cling to the One who will never change (who brings peace). Who is the same today as He was yesterday and will be tomorrow. As it says in Philippians 4: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

So God change me in your sovereignty. Teach me to live my life with hands wide open and to believe.... to believe that You, the only thing that remains unchanged, love me more than I will ever know. What do I have to fear?