The Only Constant
By Jay Gjurgevich --
Change comes to all of us in different ways and at different times. Sometimes, change is predictable and we can see it coming. Other times, we can only see change when we are right in the middle of it. Some of us love change, we love the possibilities that it brings, and we relish in the opportunity to break up the monotony of everyday life. Some of us do everything we can to avoid change and the disruption that it brings to our routines and our comfort level.
No matter how it comes and how we react when it comes, change is inevitable. The Greek philosopher Heraclitus was known for the famous saying, “the only constant is change.” Scary words. Scary because whether you embrace change or flee from it, what makes change bearable is some kind of constant in the midst of it.
My family has been through a lot of change recently, and it has impacted each of us in different ways and at surprising times. A couple of weeks after moving into our new house in Portland, I woke up in the middle of the night and for a moment, I forgot where I was. I woke to a strange ceiling in a strange bedroom and began to get a little anxious, thinking to myself, “Where am I?” As I picked my head up and turned around, I realized that I was in my bed, the same familiar bed that my wife, Katie and I have slept in every night for over 14 years. It was seeing that constant reference point which helped me realize, “I’m in my bedroom, I’m at home.”
I am convinced that it’s during times of change where what is constant in our lives becomes absolutely critical to identify. It is during those times when what we trust in as constant is what we cling to as change as swirling around us.
This Sunday at Greater Portland Bible Church, we are continuing our series called “The Rest” where we are exploring what it means to enter the rest that only Jesus can provide. This week we will be talking about how listening to God’s Word brings us true rest.
Isaiah 40:8 says, “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” This is good news! However, it’s only the beginning, because not only do the words of God stand forever but the “Word”, who is Jesus Christ, stands forever. His character does not change, His promises do not fail, and His work to save us is eternally secure.
I’m sure Heraclitus was a smart guy, but I believe he got it wrong with his famous quote. There is something more constant than change in our world.
As Christ-followers, change is not our constant, Jesus is. Our circumstances, whatever they may be, do not hold our contentment, our ongoing communion with Jesus does. If we happen to enjoy change, we don’t need it in order to be content, we can be joyful even in the monotony. If we are averse to change, we don’t have to fear what change might bring. Instead, we can be joyful in the disruption and chaos that change brings, because either way, and every way in between, we have confidence that there is a Constant who graciously gives us His rest.