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About this time of year, summer fun is concluding and school is on the horizon for most—whether as students, parents, or teachers. Students are entering a new grade, maybe even a new school, with new teachers and some new classmates. Parents are preparing their young people for the challenges that await them in those environments or are preparing for a new stage of life as they drop off an inbound college student. Teachers are welcoming a new group of students with their own unique personalities and idiosyncrasies.

Perhaps for some, school time is over, but a relocation due to the military, a new job, or a new project may be the significant change on the horizon.
Perhaps there are two seemingly universal, albeit competing, truths about change. Here they are:

  • Change is a constant in our lives
  • A majority of folks do not readily embrace change

Consider how we know this to also be fundamentally true according to Solomon: “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”
He then proceeds to lay out the typical changes every human being will encounter throughout the course of their life. A significant amount of them involve loss, sadness, or difficulty; as such, we are more prone to view “change” negatively as a result. We could stop the article here to conclude that change is coming and we just are not going to ever FULLY love it. Such an outlook is not only unhealthy, it is also unholy.

Solomon walks through the truths of that “chapter,” highlighting that in the midst of changes (whether they are good or bad in our mind) there is a loving, intentional, powerful God working throughout each of them.
The reality about change is this: Change is a constant we all must face, but our changeless God allows and crafts those changes to accomplish His eternal desire in, through, and around our lives.

Conversely, the devil seeks to utilize changes in our lives (or in the lives of others) to sow thoughts of doubt about God’s goodness, the care of others, and the benefit God intends because of change. He seeks to leverage our pride, a critical attitude, and a divisive tongue to spark unholy change in our life, the vibe of our home, and in the unity of the church.
 His goal is to subvert the holy goals our good God is crafting with the tool of change.

How do we grow in embracing changes for the praise of God’s glory vs. aligning with the devil’s agenda?

  • When change happens or is announced for the future, am I intentionally filtering my thoughts using God’s Word rather than my own logic?
  • When change happens or is announced for the future, do I take time to pray and ask for God’s help in being a part of His desire through it?
  • When change happens or is announced for the future, am I quick to help others who may be struggling with change and vocalizing an unholy attitude about it, or maybe even fostering disunity because of it?
  • When change happens or is announced for the future, am I asking God to help me rejoice or celebrate what He is doing in my life (even if it is painful)?
  • When change happens or is announced for the future, is it revealing that my trust or reliance has been anchored in others in a way it should have been reserved for God alone?
  • When change happens or is announced for the future, will I commit to seeing what God will do (over time) with this change rather than seek a “rip cord/band-aid” solution?

There is no perfect formula for knowing when change will take place due to our finite, frail earthly existence. There is also no formula for ensuring we always respond in a holy manner to each change.
What we can do is imperfectly seek to face the waves of change with security and confidence because of our God, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
The changeless God utilizes change to bring about His eternal, good plan in our lives.

Serving together,
Pastor Paul