Awake SydneySample

 Change!

Change is an inescapable part of life – in the time you’ve read this far, some 100 million of your body’s cells have died and been replaced by new cells. Growing up, growing wiser and maturing all require change. So change is not necessarily bad, and even though some people love and thrive on change, others resist and are scared of it.

I’ve just changed jobs after 17 years in the one place. As a pastor, when I change jobs, I change homes, suburbs, friendship groups and my kids change schools. It seems like everything has changed. And then there’s the Australian property market!  We’d love to buy a home of our own to live in and after seeing one house sail past our budget, one of my kids reminded me of what I’d said a few weeks earlier: ‘If God can raise Jesus from the dead to give us a home in heaven forever, I’m pretty sure He can sort out our home for the next 10 years, don’t you think?’ In the midst of change, the promises of God become so very precious.

The New Testament assures us that, in contrast to human leaders, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). James, Jesus’ brother, declares that God the Father is the giver of every good gift who does not change like shifting shadows (James 1:17). As we experience change (the unsettling kind) it is so good to be reminded of who is underwriting the very existence of the universe (Colossians 1:17), of whose you are (1 Corinthians 6:19), of who loved you and gave His life for you (1 Corinthians 6:20). To be reminded of who has sealed you with a guarantee of your eternal salvation (Ephesians 1:13) and of who is holding you safe forever in the palm of His hand (John 10:28-30).

So the earth may give way, mountains may fall into the heart of the sea, waters may roar and foam but we will not fear because God Himself is our refuge and strength, our ever-present help in trouble (or change).  Psalm 46 made this confident declaration 1,000 years before Jesus rose from the grave in ultimate proof that the power of God is supreme over all things (Acts 10:39-43).  How much more can we be certain that our Heavenly Father is our refuge and strength, our safe place when all else seems to be stormy.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you that you rule, you reign.  Thank you that Jesus is risen from the grave and is right now holding me safe in the palm of His hand.  Please swap my anxieties over change for the peace of your presence by the power of your Spirit.

Craig Roberts

CEO - Anglican Youth Works. 

www.youthworks.net