Keep The Change

Julie Cosgrove

Take today’s next step: Try something new – take the 35 Day Challenge

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17)

Do you like change? Not many people really do. Change brings on a cluster of butterflies dancing in the stomach or a taut rubber band of tension in the neck. It quickens our breath and makes our minds swirl with “what if’s?”

Change can be exciting. Do you recall your first day of high school? Or college? The day of your wedding, or when you discovered you were pregnant? Do you remember the day your child left home? What about the day you retired?

There are other times when life changes in a blink of an eye, and perhaps not for the better. We get a pink slip. We get the call at two in the morning that every parent dreads. The weather warning horn blares minutes before our neighborhood is destroyed. The tests reveal cancer. Our husband’s attorney serves the papers.

The truth is that life is change. Whether we find the change exciting or we dread it, change is inevitable. Each and every day we undergo some change. Biologically we grow new cells and slough off old ones. We grow up, and then we grow old.

It is only through change that we discover our strengths. Change teaches us what we are made of. If we didn’t change we would become stagnate. Scientists say the best way to stay sharp is to challenge your brain each day with reading and problem solving. Stagnation in our lives will do more than dull our brains. Our hearts will scum over, and our actions will become stale and no longer have meaning.

I believe that there are times when God ushers in change to stir us up, refresh our souls, and make us re-focus. There is a saying that the only constant in life is change. That’s not true. In the entire universe, the LORD is the one thing that is constant.

“I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.” (Malachi 3:6)

“But you remain the same, and your years will never end.” (Psalm 102:27)

His mercies are new every morning, but they are the same mercies He offers every day. His love cannot be waned by our sinful nature, our circumstances or our appearance. He loves equally, justly and fully. He keeps His promises. The same forgiveness He offered yesterday He will offer tomorrow. He will not leave you, turn away or withdraw His strength. No matter what changes in your life, God never will.

Faith changes us. But in doing so, it grows constant. Christ transforms our hearts when we ask Him into our lives. We put on a new attitude of repentance, thankfulness and love and our outlook on life alters. We turn to Him for strength and comfort instead of relying on our own. Our Lord becomes the unmovable force in a constantly changing world.

So keep the change – learn from it and embrace your Savior as He carries you through it. Constantly turn to Him who gives you strength in all things. (Philippians 4:13)

Father in Heaven, Help me to be quick to trust and slow to fear. In a world of constant change You never change. Your mercy is without end and your justice will prevail. Thank you for the peace that comes from knowing You are never far away. Amen

Questions: What change has recently happened in your life and how will you now perceive it? Will you seek the one constant thing, your Heavenly Lord’s presence, in the midst of it all?

Julie Cosgrove

Julie B Cosgrove is a Christian freelance writer and professional speaker. She has published three Bible studies, a devotional and a novel called Focused. Besides Power to Change, she regularly writes for several other devotional publications and sites. She belongs to American Christian Fiction Writers, North Texas Christian Writers, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, North Texas Christian Women's Chamber and Toastmasters. A widow, she lives in Fort Worth with her son and two cats. Visit her website www.juliebcosgrove.com and her blog Where Did You Find God Today.com

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