Change

I started reading this book a while ago during my quiet times. Each week reveals another of God's names and then the Monday through Friday devotionals taught on that name break it down further into bite-sized pieces and teach what it means for us as we walk out our faith in Jesus in our every day lives. My plan is to just keep starting it over as I end it and, prayerfully, someday I will have a better grasp and understanding of God's character as revealed in His names.

​Anyway, I am back at week one and the name for this week is Elohim...God, Mighty Creator. It "contains the idea of God's creative power as well as His authority and sovereignty." In today's reading, Ann focuses on the God who never changes in our world that is ever-changing.

If there's one thing most of my close friends know about me, it's that I hate change. I like routine, structure, predictability. I am not spontaneous, spur of the moment. I don't like surprises, even ones most would enjoy. Hate may be a strong word at this point. I will admit that, as I have gotten older, and as God has put friends in my path who example what it means to embrace change and "roll with it," I have become more tolerable of it. Still not in love with it, mind you! And don't know that I ever will be.

And life with Jerry is ever-changing, ever-evolving. I've said it before and I'll say it again...there is never a dull moment with him in our family. Meds, no meds...likes Scooby Doo, Scooby Doo scares him...loves baths, won't get in the tub...doesn't eat anything, eats us out of house and home...has meltdowns in the car, is he even in the car right now?...is motivated by stickers and Minion toys, stickers are stupid and what is a Minion? It's a crazy and wild ride on up in here! In fact, you'd think I'd be a lot more tolerable of change than I actually am. Hmmm, maybe that's a lesson God is using him to teach me. Possible. There are a whole lot of lessons to be learned in mothering that little man!

Anyway, back to today's reading. Ann says,

Imagine for a moment that you live in a world that never changes. In this world civilizations never rise and fall, the weather is constant, children don't grow up, and people never change jobs. In this world, the same old television shows run year after year. (Ahhhh, I was imagining this and smiling at the daydream of it all. Ok, maybe not the children don't grow up part, but everything else? Works for me. Especially if the TV shows were I Love Lucy, Andy Griffith, and Mash and the weather was always fall.)

Then Ann continued...

Wouldn't it bore you to death? Without the right kind of change, there would be no growth or development, no hope, nothing whatever to aim for. No one would ever talk about discerning God's plan for their lives nor would anyone strive to fulfill their God-given potential because there wouldn't even be a word for "potential." We know that to be human is to be subject to change.

Ugh! Another thing I hate? Admitting I'm wrong! But I am, clearly. Ann's right. It would be boring. Ann goes on to point out that we are still not everything God intends us to be and so constructive change is necessary. That goes for me. It goes for you. It goes for a little boy with autism who currently goes from lucid and joyful to delusional and paranoid in the same day.

But you know what the best news is? God is NEVER-changing. He is already perfect and everything He needs to be. "Change could not possibly improve Him." He always was and He always will be. And here is my favorite line of Ann's. Ready for it? "HIS ATTITUDE WON'T CHANGE DEPENDING ON HIS MOOD, DEPENDING ON YOUR MOOD." Chew on that for a while! Relieved? I sure am!

In the end, no matter the changes I face, we face...welcome or unwelcome...the God who is the same yesterday, today, and forever can steady our rocked worlds. He is so stable and strong, we can lean on Him forever. Amen!