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Listen: Chris Witts presents Morning Devotions
I know a lot of people who would prefer things to remain the same. But as others say, “Change is inevitable. Life is characterised by constant change. Anything that is not undergoing change is already dead!” Now there’s a statement that gets my attention!
There have been enormous changes in recent years, especially in electronic communications with computer technology and smart phones leading the way. We rely on such technology to communicate around the world in a matter of seconds. Some of us use email as a primary means of communication. Some text, tweet, and blog to communicate with others. What’s the next incredible invention?
I received an interesting article via email listing 10 suggestions from a 1950’s Home Economics textbook intended for high school girls. These suggestions were offered to help them prepare for married life. You might smile at this—but here are two:
- Have dinner ready: Plan ahead to have a delicious meal—on time. This is a way of letting him know you have been thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they come home and the prospects of a good meal is part of the warm welcome needed.
- Prepare yourself: Take 15 minutes to rest so you will be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh looking. Be a little gay and a little more interesting.
Then there was an updated version for the modern woman:
- Have dinner plans ready: Make reservations ahead of time. If your day becomes hectic leave him a voicemail message regarding where you’d like to eat and a time to meet him there.
- Prepare yourself: Spend some time shopping; buy something new; it will make you feel better. Pay attention to personal details like regular appointments with your hairstylist and manicurist. Use your credit card.
The article concluded with these words: “My, how times have changed!” Yes indeed—times have changed.
Today’s world continues to be characterised by rapid change. Nothing seems to remain the same. Change is often hard on us. It can be threatening, frightening, and even intimidating. Psychologists tell us that there is just one way that we can adjust to change, and that is to have some ‘fixed points’ in life that will provide stability. We need some fixed points that we can rely on—some eternal truths that we can trust and believe in, and commit to. That is precisely what the Christian faith has to offer! There is nothing wrong with change—but I also want to cling to some things that don’t change so I can have some stability in my life, don’t you? There are some things that never change! Let me explain what I mean.
First there are fixed points in God’s creative order. For example, navigators can always count on the North Star. Builders can rely on plumb lines. Scientists can rely on square roots. Musicians depend on set notes. And then there are also some fixed points that form the foundation of faith. The Old Testament prophet Malachi told the people of his day of God’s steadfast and unchanging nature, even in the midst of a changing order. He said to them: “For I, the Lord your God do not change!” (3:6) We find the same thing said in an even more powerful way in the New Testament book of Hebrews: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” These words remind us of the timeless and timely message from scriptures that serves as the foundation of our faith.
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As Christians, Jesus, through his life and teachings, helps us discover the fixed points. The most important lesson we learn from him is about the depth of God’s abiding love. This eternal truth is expressed in the most popular passage of scripture in the New Testament, John 3:16: “God so loved the world that he gave his only son…” The basic truth that forms our faith is an everlasting truth: “God’s steadfast love endures forever.” The love revealed in the life of Jesus Christ is constant, dependable, and eternal.
The Apostle Paul expressed an unchanging ‘fixed point’ that forms the foundation of the Christian faith this way: “Now abide faith, hope, and love, these three. But the greatest of these is love…” “Love,” he went on to say, “never ends.” ( See 1 Corinthians 13).
Source: Rev. R. Franklin Gillis, Jr., August 22, 2010
Cedarfield, USA
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