Facing Change

Are you ready for change? Some are afraid that things will change. Others may be afraid that things won’t change, or at least, that they won’t change in the way they want them to.

One reality that life and experience teach us is that as much as we’d like to, we can’t control every circumstance in life, much less other people and their decisions. What we do have the right and ability to govern is our own attitudes, thoughts, and beliefs.

Scripture indicates that some things will always be changing. As a matter of fact, Hebrews 12:27 (NLT) tells us that “all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain.” We don’t need to be afraid of this, but we do need to differentiate between what is temporal and what is eternal. The very next verse reads, “Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe” (Hebrews 12:28 NLT).

So many things can change in life, but it is vital that we maintain a focus on what cannot and will never change. The unshakable and unchangeable include all of things pertaining to God’s character, faithfulness, and love toward us. This is why a few verses later in Hebrews, we read:

God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” So we can say with confidence, “The LORD is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5-6 NLT).

Nothing illustrates that verses as beautifully as what happened in the life of fourth century, preacher in Constantinople (Istanbul today) named John Chrysostom. Chrysostom was not his last name, but rather a nickname that meant “Golden-Mouthed.” He was known for his great boldness in preaching God’s Word and his opposition to corruption. The story is told that he ran afoul of the Empress of the Byzantine empire. Unwilling to tolerate his ministry, she threatened him. The exchange went something like this:

“I will banish you.”

“You cannot banish me, for this world is my Father’s house.”

“Then I will then kill you.”

“No, you cannot, for my life is hid with Christ in God.”

“I will take away your treasures.”

“No, you cannot, for my treasure is in Heaven and my heart is there.”

“Then I will drive you away from your friends and you will have no one left.”

“No, you cannot, for I have a Friend in Heaven from whom you cannot separate me.”

The Empress was threatening all the things she felt she could change in his life, but Chrysostom kept focusing on all the things that she could not change — the things he knew that were unshakable.

If thoughts of change have troubled you, remember what Jesus said: “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid” (John 14:27 NLT).

Finally, one description of the “virtuous woman” of Proverbs 31 sets a great standard (check out verse 25 from several translations):

• She laughs without fear of the future (NLT).
• She shall rejoice in time to come (NKJV).
• She smiles at the future (NASB).
• She laughs at the time to come (ESV).
• She always faces tomorrow with a smile (MSG).
• She is confident about the future (CEV).

Max Anders said, “In a world of constant change, God alone is the Rock upon which to build a life.” I pray that you will fully experience the reality of our unchanging God, and that you will enjoy the Kingdom we have been given… one that is entirely unshakable.

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