as we change, He remains the same

A hard concept I’ve struggled to make peace with lately:: change. It’s e v e r y w h e r e. Stormy spring weather became a hot & sunny summer. High school students became high school graduates. Acquaintances became friends. Friends became acquaintances. Life became BUSY. Change is something all of us are promised in this life. And I keep learning that nothing stays quite the same for too long.

Sometimes, change is welcome—when we’ve outgrown a season and all its familiar people & places, we feel MORE than ready to experience the new & unknown. Nothing sounds better than saying a few goodbye's if it means a few hello's.

But other times, it’s dreaded—when we’re not quite ready to loosen our grip on what we’ve known for so long. The town we’ve called home, the friends we’ve called family, the moments we now call memories. Goodbyes are much more bitter than sweet, because the ending comes too soon && not at all the way we expected it to.

So if you’re anything like me, a lot of change at once stresses you out. Too many things are entering and exiting your life too fast, and you can’t even begin to wrap your mind around just who & what you’re gaining & losing during it all. And if that's the case, let me share a most comforting reminder:

“for everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

I’ve discovered the best way to deal with change is to fully embrace it. And I know you’ve heard that a million times before, but here’s the secret: You are capable of handling ANY amount change~whether it’s welcome or dreaded, substantial or small~because you have access to a steadfast, unchanging Source. There's no reason to worry about the outcome of change when you realize that the Creator holds all of your tomorrow's in His hands. And more importantly: that even while you're changing, He never does.

Jesus never changes.

His promise of eternal life made possible through His blood??

Never changes.

His love for you that existed before you even knew Him??

Never changes.

His mercy extended for all your previous and future sins??

Never changes.

The comfort of his everlasting presence? The power of his healing hand?

You guessed.

Never changes.

So yeah, your life may be a little crazy with all its new uncertainties and responsibilities. But find peace in the One who never changes. Find rest in knowing you are so much more than the unrealistic expectation the world has called you to reach & all the achievements and accomplishments you're striving towards.

“your soul will not be satisfied with life’s good things” (Ecclesiastes 6:3)

No matter how good!! Nothing on this earth will ever be greater than He who created it. Because we weren't made for our own glory, but for the glory of the Lord. Our purpose isn't to be known, but to make Him known. Things on this earth will always change, but our identity and purpose in Christ remains the same.

In closing, my prayer for this ever-changing season:: No more holding onto what’s already gone, & no more chasing after my heart’s desires. Because things are so much better done His way. More walking in obedience towards what God has prepared for me, with knowledge that i'm gonna be OK with a little change as long as i'm near to Him. Maybe even more than ok, really, because growth can't take place if things stay the same.