Two things in life are certain.

The first constant is change.

From the time of birth, a baby is constantly facing change. Change is sometimes welcomed, but often, it is not.

Like it or not, we continually face change.

How often have you seen a baby crying when being held by someone new, only to watch the crying stop when the child is returned to the familiar arms of the parent?

This desire for familiarity continues through childhood. Some children eagerly await the excitement of attending school for the first time, but often they greet it with fear and trepidation when the familiar is replaced by something new — fear for both the child and the parent.

This apprehension continues all through life. While it is exciting to anticipate some new adventure, often, and particularly as we age, we wish that things would remain the same, just like they were.

Although we may wish that things would stay the same, things constantly change.

The only important thing, then, is how we react to change.

Our guide in this connection is the other constant: our God is unchanging and will continue to be forever.

His love, as expressed through Christ Jesus and made clear by the Holy Spirit, teaches us always to choose to be positive.

The wonderful strength that we have to choose to be positive has been eloquently expressed in the wonderful hymn written by Annie Johnson Flint (1866-1932).

He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as our labors increase,
To added affliction He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials, He multiplies peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half-done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,
Our Father's full giving is only begun.

His love has no limits, his grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men:
For out of his infinitive riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

Change is constant. There is nothing that can be done to stop it. But we do have the option to choose to be positive in all our reactions because of the unchanging love of our God. We will make a difference. Let us make it a good one!

Prayer: Dear Father, we give thanks that You are unchanging. You are constantly the same. Thank You for giving us Your Son, Jesus, to show us how to react positively to all the changes that come in life. May each of us be an influence for good in all things. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Vincent Walter <vwalter@bell.net>
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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