Changes
Changes: The one constant in life is change. The course you are on will twist and deviate in ways you never thought possible. These changes usually happen fast and without a lot of notice. A wise person recognizes that change is inevitable and that nothing is sustainable forever. Empires rise and fall, businesses boom and bust, economies bubble and pop, peacetime yields to war, life begins and ultimately ends. These are the realities of the world we live in, and as such, it’s important to recognize that cycles like this will occur. However, we do not need to only dwell on the darkness because as Christians we have our hope and assurance firmly set in the Lord. The promises of God are the one thing that is immune to change, for He is never changing and true to His Word. Amen!
Cycles: “That which has been is that which will be, And that which has been done is that which will be done. So, there is nothing new under the sun.” — Ecclesiastes 1:9. This scripture tells us that what has happened in the past will similarly repeat itself. Right now, we are in the midst of a global outbreak and it might seem like something of this kind has never happened before, yet it has. Maybe not in our lifetime, but one must only look back through history to see a similar pattern. Spanish Flu (1918-1920) killed 3-5% of the global population, the Black Death killed 50 million people in the 14th century, or 60 percent of Europe’s entire population. We are nowhere near the level of those fatal numbers with the Coronavirus, but panic, fear and economic hardships have gripped every nation across the planet as we attempt to combat this disease. So how does this knowledge of the past help us? Well, for one, if we know cycles repeat themselves, then we can expect that dangerous global events like this will occur. It doesn’t mean we have to live our lives in fear and bunker into a side of a hill, but it does mean that hardship will visit us and we should expect as much. Much like we know the changing season of the year (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter) we should also be expectant of changing times in the world. The good news is, cycles also move from times of hardship to times of renewing, so we must look forward to better days ahead and never take for granted all that the Lord has provided.
Remembering the Change: In December 1944, the US 101st Airborne Division found themselves surrounded by a surging Nazi offensive in what would later be known as the Battle of the Bulge. In the Belgian forest near Bastogne, these soldiers bravely held the line in bitterly cold temperatures repelling every advance of the enemy. The Airborne was bombarded and assaulted constantly, but they held the line and ultimately the Nazis retreated sustaining heavy losses. Soldiers of the Airborne would later remember this time of WWII as some of the worst combat and harsh temperatures they’d face. One soldier said he would always tell his wife after the war, whenever he experienced a snowy winter day back home, “At least I’m not in Bastogne.” Remembering the hardships of the past can make you grateful for what you have now. When you experience a radical life-changing moment it can be a centering memory for whenever things get tough again in the future. The Lord also finds this equally as important as he tells us to remember Him. Easter, communion and many other holidays and events are observed for precisely this reason — So that we should never forget. We do not dwell on the negative, but like the soldier who survived the cold and frigid combat in Bastogne...we are grateful it has passed.
It Will Come Again: The Bible is very clear with its warnings about future events. There will be times of distress, but it is how we act in those times of distress and change that will show our true character. Change will visit us, but if we face it with faith and hope we will do well. The Lord tells us to not be afraid for these things must take place. "When you hear of wars and disturbances, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end does not follow immediately." Then He continued by saying to them, "Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be great earthquakes, and in various places plagues and famines; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.” — Luke 21:9-11. So, we must be expectant of events similar to what we are facing with the Coronavirus. The more we know that future events like this will unfold the less shocked and more prepared we will be.
Isolation = Change: During the current crisis all of us have had to alter our daily lives. Meaning, most have been forced into isolation in an attempt to limit the spread of the virus. But did you know a great deal of inspiration and change comes from times of isolation? John was given his Revelation in solitude on the isle of Patmos, Moses received the ten commandments alone on Mount Sinai, Paul received the Gospel not through man, but alone through a revelation of Jesus Christ, John the Baptist was a voice in the wilderness, Jesus was 40 days and 40 nights in the desert. Jonah was in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights and went on to tell the inhabitants of Nineveh to repent. A lot can happen when we are alone with God. So don’t take this time for granted if you are stuck in your home and not able to move as freely as you once did. Perhaps the Lord has a special life-changing message for you in this time of solitude. Use these moments to recalibrate your life and seek the face of God.
In Him,
Tim and Will