If you’re like me, maybe you find it amusing that the only thing that remains constant, the only thing that never seems to change is change. Think about it. No matter how hard we try, we cannot stop change. It is a mighty, ambiguous force, which may work either for or against us. It cannot be controlled, tamed, or thwarted. It is part of the very fabric of mankind; to be human is to be subject to change.
As it relates to our families, some changes we anticipate with great eagerness, like the first steps or first words of a child. As parents, we long for the day when our children are out of diapers, when they finally begin to sleep through the night, or when they hit their first home run. However, some changes are unexpected and come upon us when we’re least prepared for them. These may come in the form of a sudden change in a child’s demeanor, often referred to as “phases,” or maybe a job loss, or even a serious injury in the family. Finally, some changes are so slow and gradual that they are really imperceptible. Good examples are those that come with growing older—the loss of eyesight, stamina, and hair!
So if our families are a hotbed for change, how are we to deal with them? Especially those changes that seem to work against us or take us by surprise? Is there some anchor for our soul in the midst of this chaotic, swirling sea of change? Most certainly! His name is the LORD, Jehovah, and He says of Himself that He does not change (Mal.3:6). Referring to God in human flesh, the writer of Hebrews said, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Heb.13:8). So when dealing with difficult providences, when faced with sudden changes, we must remember to lean on the One who never changes. That is why God is likened to a rock in the scriptures (Deut.32:4; 1 Sam.2:2; Ps.18:31). He is the unchanging, solid foundation beneath our feet when everything else around us is chaos.
As I said before, the only thing that never seems to change is change. However, change is not greater than God. In fact, He is the only One who never changes and He uses change, among other things, like a tool in His hand to shape and fashion our lives so that we may be conformed to the image of His beloved Son (Rom.8:29). May we learn to trust our Great Potter as He forms the clay of our lives. He promises to work all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Rom.8:28). His unchanging nature guarantees it.
