I am writing right after having talked to a series of folks all of whom are struggling with some aspect of change in their lives. One of them is changing jobs; one of this is contemplating returning to the physical workplace; one of them is grieving the death of a spouse; one of them is concerned about change in our Annual Conference; one of them is contemplating advancing age.
Every one of the changes those friends are experiencing has some benefit, even the grief-struck friend quickly acknowledges that he is grateful that his beloved is not declining and no longer knows the pain she was in. But each change comes at a price.
One of the things that each person really wanted to talk about is the question of what remains permanent in their lives. What is constant?
In truth, not much is the answer. Each of us continues to change. The constants of one era are uncertain in the next. I have always remembered hearing when I was a boy one of my aunts bemoaning the cutting down of some enormous oak trees on the side road leading into my mother’s hometown. “They have always been here; it’s wrong to take them down,” she said. But my grandmother pointed out that she was older than the trees and that she could remember when they had been planted 80 years before. “Forever” and “always” are relative words.
At this point it’s handy for me as a pastor to point out that God is eternal. While I am certainly ready to tell you that, I truthfully find it sometime inadequate. I can’t quite grasp forever and always and unchanging and eternity. And even if I could fully grasp the concept, I do not know how it would anchor me.
What does secure me however is to continue to grow into Christ:
As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. – Colossians 2:6-7
In Wesleyan language, I can continue to practice the ordinances of God. I can continue to exercise the practices of faith such as Bible reading, study and prayer that anchor me, root me, in the One who is security.
Right now, many folks are uncertain about all the changes before us. But rooted in Christ we will be at peace.
Praying for you to be rooted!
[Harvey] Gray
If you would like to view past editions of Hello from Harvey,
follow this link: https://capitaldistrictnc.org/category/from-the-ds/