The Constancy of Change

Throughout this unique Coronavirus season, I’ve been very aware of how quickly things change. News channels today are dominated by a virus that just a few weeks back most of us had never heard of. Financial markets that were thriving, rapidly took a nosedive. The freedoms and independence we took for granted are now limited by “stay at home” orders.

I imagine, of course, that this isn’t the only time in your life that things have changed suddenly. Perhaps a close friend received an unexpected test result or a relationship you held dear tragically ended. As we go through life, we begin to discover that the aphorism “change is the only constant” is indeed true.

Jesus also found this to be the case many times throughout his ministry. Calm seas turned into terrible storms (Matt. 8:24), faithful followers disliked a sermon and left him behind (John 6:66), and close friends got sick and died (John 11:3).

One of the starkest examples of this reality was during Holy Week. On Palm Sunday Jesus triumphantly entered Jerusalem. Crowds excitedly cheered as he arrived. His entrance was fit for a king. Yet only a week later, many of those same people were egging Pontius Pilot on to order Jesus’ crucifixion. In a matter of days, Jesus went from supportive crowds, to being abandoned by even his closest disciples (Luke 22:57).

The reality for Jesus and for us, is that life is fickle. Tides turn. Seasons change. Peaks are followed by valleys. This is why it is so important that through it all we remain rooted in an unchanging God. Hebrews 13:8 reminds us that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” His character doesn’t change. His power doesn’t wane. His love never fails.

During this unique season, many people are looking for hope amidst fear and change. My prayer is that I’d be a bit bolder in sharing the hope I have in Christ, so that others, despite an ever-changing world, can discover the Constant One.