Change

I have heard it said that change is the only constant in life, and sometimes that seems oh-so-true. I've also heard it said that change is good, and sure, sometimes that's true as well. But not always. Oh, no sir. Not always.

Let's be blunt. I lost my dad 9 years ago. That change hurt, and it still does. Maybe not as much as it did, but if I could go back and undo it--change the change, if you will--would I? In a heartbeat.

Given the chance, I'd change a lot of change in my life. I'd bring back busload of people who have moved away. I'd reverse a whole slew of decisions that rocked my world, and eliminate a sea of waves that have rocked my boat.

But that chance will never come. I cannot rewind the clock. I cannot make that river of time flow back. No one can.

So what's to be done? Do I live life in constant agony over the changes that have come, and dread the ones yet to be?

No. I can't live like that. There's no peace in such a life, no life in such an existence.

So do I embrace change, no matter what change may bring?

No. I can't. If change could be trusted, were it always docile and benign, then sure. Come what may. But heartless monster that change can be, I may not be able to stop it, but I'll not willingly give it carte blanche in my life.

What is left? What options do I have?

Acceptance? Sure. I guess. I mean, what choice do I have?

But I believe there's a better way yet.

Hope.

Yes, hope.

Not as in wishful thinking, but as in blessed assurance. Hope as in God has a plan for me, a plan for my good, not my harm, a plan for a future and a hope, as God said to Jeremiah. Hope as in being strong and courageous, knowing that God will never leave me nor forsake me, just as He told Joshua. Hope as in those who trust in the Lord will find new strength, they will fly like eagles, they will run and not be weary, they will walk and not be tired, as said by Isaiah.

That's what I mean by hope. Because I know change is coming that's going to hurt. What it will be, I do not not know. But that it will be, of that I am certain. And to face that without hope--honestly, I'd rather die. Truly.

Because I cannot bear the thought of change without hope. Of a world without reason or purpose, which is what I see in change without hope. If every change is simply by chance, if there is no plan, if no one has my back, then I'm done. I'll cash in my chips right now, thank you very much.

But I have hope. I have hope in God who never changes. I have hope in Jesus Christ who is the same yesterday and today and tomorrow. I have hope in the One who works all things out for the good of those who love Him. I have hope, and change can never take that away.

So I face tomorrow, full of changes and a change unto itself, with hope.

That is a better way.