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The Only Thing Constant In Life Is Change? |
2004-08-28 |
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“The only thing constant in life is change.” This saying occurred to me the other day, as I noticed that some of the leaves are beginning to change already, and the weather feels more like the autumn which is quickly approaching than the summer which is dying away. This is the time of year when we are more aware of change. The seasons are obviously changing, even if that change is coming earlier than usual, as summer begins to slowly give way to winter. The three months of summer vacation are giving way to the new school year. Our family hits a trifecta this school year, as Emma begins high school, Hanna begins middle school, and Grant begins first grade. Our children are growing up, and they are growing up quickly. I notice the changes that come with my own aging. I used to feel great from the first stride of my runs. Now I need at least a mile to slowly warm up and get comfortable. I go to the chiropractor once a month to ease my aches and pains. My parents are getting older as well, and our conversations now often include updates on their changing health as well as my own growing list of infirmities.
This past week I learned that three of our families in the congregation are moving away to take new jobs. We are happy that they have found good employment, but this change makes us sad as well because we must say goodbye to them. We talk and pray with people who are struggling with chronic illness and the changes that those illnesses have brought to their lives, even to the point where some must begin to consider the reality of their own death.
We are also reminded of change every day as the new church building evolves from plans on paper to walls rising from the ground. Next Spring we will be moving into that new church, and the process of change will continue in a new place. Some change is welcome, especially when it brings us from illness to restored health, or from conflict and brokeness to forgiveness and renewal, or from loss and grief to restoration and joy. Unfortunately change comes both from gaining and from losing, and we must learn how to accept and handle both.
The Bible tells the story of how the people of God have dealt with change from the beginning of creation. “The only thing constant in life is change” is only partly true. Creation changes, but the Creator does not. The prophet Malachi tells the people of Israel, who are `struggling to cope with the changes of rebuilding life in Jerusalem after returning from seventy years of Babylonian exile and not doing a very good job, that “I, the Lord do not change.” The mystery of faith is that the unchanging God became human in Jesus and suffered all the painful changes of human existence, including death, so that He could give us the gift of eternal life. “Behold, I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.” We look forward to one last change in Jesus; when we come into his presence forever. |
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Summer: starting Memorial Day Weekend
9:00 am Worship Service KMSD Broadcast
10:00 am Coffee and Fellowship
WOW (Worship on Wednesday) 6:30 pm
Winter: starting after Labor Day
8:30 am Worship Service KMSD Broadcast
9:35 am Educational Hour
9:35 am Coffee and Fellowship
10:45 am Worship Service
WOW (Worship on Wednesday) 6:30 pm |
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401 South Flynn Drive
Milbank SD 57252
605.432.5566 |
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