“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Heb. 13:8
Dear Jesus, I really don’t like change. I do like newness, excitement, and adventure, but I really like the normal, comfortable, and predictable. I don’t like it when a favorite fishing rod “gives up the ghost” and I have to replace it. Or when a storm takes out a favorite tree or 5 of them. Or when you transplant someone who’s a friend first, colleague second to another job, state, and home.
But I’m thrilled that there’s one part of our lives that will never change. And that is you, Jesus. You are the same “yesterday, today, and forever”—the same truth-filled, goodness-overflowing, beautiful-without-equal Savior. This doesn’t make you predictable, and even less so manageable. But it does mean we can trust you without any reservations. Change doesn’t have sovereignty. That is 100% your domain.
With you, Jesus, nothing is random. You are never in discovery mode. You never have to react to anything, as though you “didn’t see that one coming.” Everything is under your reign of grace, and you are working in all things for our good.
With you, disruption leads to delight. As silly and simplistic as it seems, I finally got used to Zoe’s becoming Cava. On a more profound level, I have seen you work in my deepest wounds and losses to bring healing and grace to others. Thank you, Jesus.
Because of your life, death, and resurrection, we’re heading towards a place, family, and eternity in which everything will be the way it’s supposed to be. Our last goodbye will be spoken our first Day in the new heaven and new earth. Help each of us accept change as part of a far better story than we could or would ever write. You are making all things new, not all things vintage. Because you hold us tightly, we can hold everything else lightly. Hallelujah, and So Very Amen.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally posted on the gospel coalition on July 24th, 2024. Used with permission.
