Life is ever changing, in a moment things can change, forever. As we watch the events around us we see the landscape changing. Lives change; things change. People move on, people change priorities and yes some leave this world. Some of these changes are not the things we want to see but change is the only constant. In a moment things change. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

When life as we know it heads in a different direction how do we adjust? Some of the changes are not as personal as others. Some affect a few and others affect everyone. Some are not as personal as others, but that doesn’t make them any less valuable. There are families and friends dealing with changes and trying to make sense of difficult situations. My prayer is that there are people standing by them, holding them up, walking alongside, and helping them get through changing times.

I watched a video this week as a grandson took a final ride around the racetrack his grandfather built. The soon to be warehouse held so many memories not to mention the internment of his father’s ashes. This may just be some asphalt to some, but it is so much more to the family that built it.

We see it in the changes that happen in our own little town, generational businesses close, change ownership and things we could count on are no longer here. Habits woven into the fabric of our lives gone with a decision out of our control.

Life changes in a moment, people move on, nothing stays the same. That is why we need to cherish today. Tomorrow is not guaranteed and yesterday is but a memory. We do well to focus on the present, but how will we get through the challenges? Who will stand by us?

God spoke through the prophet Isaiah and let us know that no matter what, He is with us. We belong to Him and He will not let us falter.

Isaiah 43:1-3a; But now, O Jacob, listen to the LORD who created you.

    O Israel, the one who formed you says,

“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.

    I have called you by name; you are mine.

When you go through deep waters,

    I will be with you.

When you go through rivers of difficulty,

    you will not drown.

When you walk through the fire of oppression,

    you will not be burned up;

    the flames will not consume you.

For I am the LORD, your God,

    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

There are some important points to remember in this passage; one is, this was a promise that God made to the nation of Israel, and it also was meant for those who have accepted the sacrifice Christ made on the cross and received Him as our Lord and Savior. We have become children of God.

Remember these promises from Isaiah;

1.           I am the only Savior.

2.           I ransomed you.

3.           You are mine.

4.           I am with you.

5.           I will bring you through life’s challenges.

As we look at a changing landscape, the things that change in a moment’s notice we can rest assured that God is with us. So many times in His Word he shared that he will never leave us or forsake us.

Change is inevitable. I have come to realize that time marches on, no matter how I try to stop it. Each day reminds me that life is fleeting, one less day to live. We have been appointed a certain amount of time by our creator and all the planning, looking forward and anticipation of tomorrow will not guarantee its arrival. It only takes a moment to change.

Are you like me and plan ahead only to find out that things changed. Or maybe you’ve said as I have, “That didn’t go the way I planned.” “I didn’t see that happening.” “That didn’t work out the way I thought it would.” We come to realize that we don’t have it figured out and predicting what tomorrow brings is not something we can pinpoint.

It isn’t uncommon to receive a call on the day of an event stating the plan had changed. Even as the event is happening things change. I have come to realize that letting change frustrate me is not how I should respond. Change happens, in a moment. We need to handle that change in the right way, ask the question, “God, what do I need to see here?” or “God, what are you rearranging in my life to redirect me.”

I suggest these are not easy questions. We tend to try and get things back on the schedule we think they need to be on. In my attained wisdom from years of mishandling change there is a better way. Turn to God and ask for direction. Remember He is with us, He is walking alongside.

Matthew 20:28b; NLT; “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

I encourage you to lean on the Lord and let His promise become a reality in your life. Let your life dwell in the house of the Lord and walk with Him through life.

Blessings,

Pastor Don