It’s hot and very humid here in the south. Deep into July now, all of nature looks faded and nearly spent, as if it should be later in August. There’s that school’s-about-to-start look to the foliage even though we are a month away from the first siting of a school bus that’s loaded with bleary-eyed children who have been used to sleeping in for a couple of months.
I enjoy all of the changes in nature as each season shifts to the next and each seed, plant and tree seems to effortlessly go about the business of its own cyclical growth pattern. People tend to notice this more in the spring when so many things are bursting into life, though changes occur throughout the entire year, each phase containing a beauty all its own. Ah, the beauties and wonders of this world that God created for us to enjoy make me excited to see what visual delights await us in the New Earth!
During my prayer walk, as is my habit, I tend to pay particular attention to the wild undergrowth along the border of the path I walk. It’s here that little white flowers (or hot pink or yellow ones) stand out brilliantly amongst the tired colors of summer’s overgrown weeds. Once a vibrant shade of green, these weeds are now turning various hues of yellows, tans or browns as they have gone to seed.
Seeing all of the changes surrounding me made me think of how change is inevitable in our lives, too. But is it change itself that we – dare I say it – fear? Many would say yes. Most shrink from the thought of anything that would interrupt their current lifestyle and will do all they can to keep change from taking place, particularly if the change is not so pleasant. Yet it is said that variety is the spice of life, right? Or is the security of the mundane changelessness more desirable?
Fickle creatures that we humans are, we crave routine (how else will you know where you are?), yet get restless in the sameness of life as days melt into the day-after-day-after-day routine without anything new, big, different or exciting happening. Even those who love rigid routines will get bored with such a predictable life after a certain period of time. Then there are those other people who seem to thrive on change (and lots of it!) and would stagnate with a life driven by even the merest hint at routine.
Regardless of which type of lifestyle you’d prefer, change is inevitable and will come to us all. But I surmise that it isn’t necessarily change itself that we shy away from, but rather the idea that we won’t have someone to stay consistently next to us through all of the changes that this life consists. Change is stressful (whether the change is good or not); the thought of having to be alone can be devastating.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deut. 31:6)
Moses shared these words with the Israelites when he had to tell them that he (Moses) was no longer able to lead them. He had been with them every day for forty years, but could not be with them when the next change occurred for them: entering into the Promised Land. Apparently the Israelites were fearful on hearing this, as he had to reassure them with the words ‘be strong and courageous.’
How could they ‘be strong and courageous?’ Because the Lord himself was going with them and would not forsake them.
And He kept His word.
Shortly after the death of Moses and just before Joshua was to lead the Israelites across the Jordan River to enter the Promised Land, God encouraged Joshua by telling him something similar.
“As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.”(Josh. 1:4-6)
And He kept His word.
After all of these years, He still keeps His word. He does not change …
“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 1:17)
... and He will never leave you.
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”” (Hebrews 13:5)
Change in this life will happen. Travel with the One who does not change and will never leave you. He makes the journey all the sweeter. The choice is yours. He’s waiting for you.
“…And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matt. 28:20)
(For more information about forming a relationship with the Lord, see How You can Find Him located at the top of this page.)
I enjoy all of the changes in nature as each season shifts to the next and each seed, plant and tree seems to effortlessly go about the business of its own cyclical growth pattern. People tend to notice this more in the spring when so many things are bursting into life, though changes occur throughout the entire year, each phase containing a beauty all its own. Ah, the beauties and wonders of this world that God created for us to enjoy make me excited to see what visual delights await us in the New Earth!
During my prayer walk, as is my habit, I tend to pay particular attention to the wild undergrowth along the border of the path I walk. It’s here that little white flowers (or hot pink or yellow ones) stand out brilliantly amongst the tired colors of summer’s overgrown weeds. Once a vibrant shade of green, these weeds are now turning various hues of yellows, tans or browns as they have gone to seed.
Seeing all of the changes surrounding me made me think of how change is inevitable in our lives, too. But is it change itself that we – dare I say it – fear? Many would say yes. Most shrink from the thought of anything that would interrupt their current lifestyle and will do all they can to keep change from taking place, particularly if the change is not so pleasant. Yet it is said that variety is the spice of life, right? Or is the security of the mundane changelessness more desirable?
Fickle creatures that we humans are, we crave routine (how else will you know where you are?), yet get restless in the sameness of life as days melt into the day-after-day-after-day routine without anything new, big, different or exciting happening. Even those who love rigid routines will get bored with such a predictable life after a certain period of time. Then there are those other people who seem to thrive on change (and lots of it!) and would stagnate with a life driven by even the merest hint at routine.
Regardless of which type of lifestyle you’d prefer, change is inevitable and will come to us all. But I surmise that it isn’t necessarily change itself that we shy away from, but rather the idea that we won’t have someone to stay consistently next to us through all of the changes that this life consists. Change is stressful (whether the change is good or not); the thought of having to be alone can be devastating.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deut. 31:6)
Moses shared these words with the Israelites when he had to tell them that he (Moses) was no longer able to lead them. He had been with them every day for forty years, but could not be with them when the next change occurred for them: entering into the Promised Land. Apparently the Israelites were fearful on hearing this, as he had to reassure them with the words ‘be strong and courageous.’
How could they ‘be strong and courageous?’ Because the Lord himself was going with them and would not forsake them.
And He kept His word.
Shortly after the death of Moses and just before Joshua was to lead the Israelites across the Jordan River to enter the Promised Land, God encouraged Joshua by telling him something similar.
“As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.”(Josh. 1:4-6)
And He kept His word.
After all of these years, He still keeps His word. He does not change …
“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 1:17)
... and He will never leave you.
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”” (Hebrews 13:5)
Change in this life will happen. Travel with the One who does not change and will never leave you. He makes the journey all the sweeter. The choice is yours. He’s waiting for you.
“…And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matt. 28:20)
(For more information about forming a relationship with the Lord, see How You can Find Him located at the top of this page.)
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