|
Old
and New, but Never Changing
It’s another new year! This is when we focus on the old giving way to
the new. If last year was not a positive one, we’re glad that it’s gone
and hope the new one will be better. In the event that the last year was
good then we hope the new one will be even better. Either way, it’s a
time of transition that tempts us to wish for “better times”. That means
we want something to change, which can be a very good thing. Change
usually means that the new stuff won’t be consistent with the old stuff.
Again, if the old stuff was painful, rejective, defeating, or discouraging, the
inconsistency brought about by change is a welcome dynamic.
But don’t we also long for some things to stay just the same? Aren’t
there circumstances in life sometimes that we wish could stay just the way they
are right now? I think so. Unfortunately, even those treasures are
subject to change, transition, and inconsistency. So what treasure can we
latch onto that will never change, fade, die, rot, or otherwise escape our
grasp? Only one.
The Bible teaches us that God is the same yesterday, today, and
forever. This is a problem if we believe he is cruel and punishing,
because it means we’ll never get a break. However, the God who presents
himself in the Bible is altogether loving, accepting, and gracious. If we
have come alive in him through Jesus Christ, then there is absolutely NOTHING
we can do or say that will ever cause him to reject us. His love never
changes or fades. He isn’t moody, so his unconditional acceptance for us
will never become conditional. He promised to never turn his back on us
or withdraw his presence from our lives, so we’ll never ever be alone
again. Who else can we depend upon for this kind of total commitment?
No one.
Because I grew up in a preacher’s house I heard these things taught from the
day I was born. But it wasn’t until a couple of years ago that the truths
of God’s changelessness became real life for me. During the 13 months
that my late wife, Marie, fought and lost her second battle with cancer, I
experienced the total consistency of God. It might sound strange to you
that such a brutal circumstance could produce such a deep revelation, but it’s
true. Many times during those terrible, helpless days I leaned upon Jesus
for strength and comfort. And every time I asked the Father where he was,
he would softly say, “Right here, son, right here.” He didn’t reject me
when I shook my fists in anger at him for taking my wife away. He didn’t
stop loving me when I screamed out my accusations that a loving God would never
allow such a cruel thing to happen. Finally, he didn’t abandon me when I
tried to run away from him.
Do I have full understanding of why Marie died such an agonizing
death? Not at all. In fact, I have a lot more questions than
answers. But one thing I do understand is that those 13 months didn’t
change God, they changed me. Now I know first-hand that I am free to
change, grow, fail, succeed, question, rejoice, grieve, and experience all the
transition that life throws at me while being held by a faithful, dependable,
loving Father who is both old and new, but will never, never, never
change. That gives me a peace and hope that nothing and no one else can
provide.
How about you? Have you come alive to the one who knows you best,
loves you most, and will never change his mind or heart about you? If
not, I encourage you to say “yes” to Jesus, and enter the embrace of God the
Father. He longs to be the anchor of your life.
Derryck McLuhan
<<Back To Messages
|