The Consistency of Change

I recently used a quote in a sermon that I couldn’t recall the origin of during the process of using it. The statement was, “The only thing that stays the same is, everything changes.” Later on, a friend removed the forgetfulness I had temporarily stumbled upon by informing me that the great theologian Tracy Lawrence had uttered that phrase in his song, “Time Marches On.” Honestly, I have no idea what caliber of theologian the Country Music singer is, but I believe that particular point concerning the consistency of change in these lives we live is both biblically and practically accurate. The examples of this reality are countless, and while any person on the planet could rattle off a handful, allow me to share some unrequested information that I find myself unable to contain as time marches on and birthday candles increase…

The first time I really recall contemplating the seriousness of the changing times in my life was August of 1990 when I transitioned from Junior High to High School. I can recall like it was yesterday the anxious anticipation of all things High School as I huddled around the table I was assigned to sit in my homeroom class which happened to be the school library. Experienced in nothing yet arrogant in everything, we boasted of all the lofty goals we would accomplish in the next four years while inwardly just hoping to survive the scourge of the upper-classmen! That change was the biggest issue in life for that brief period of time…then time marched on.

Fast-forward four years and the intimidating monster of High School had been conquered, and I sat with a few friends within the same walls of the same school, and we shared hopes and aspirations of college and of careers and of conquerings yet to come. We were free! From what, we knew not, but our days of mandated school attendance were gone, and we were off to bigger and better things, all of which were only vague apparitions of things not completely understood or thought through. It was a huge time of unrivaled change…then time marched on.

Soon came marriage – something that proved to be far more than my then-young mind could possibly comprehend even though wise adults shared their wisdom with me. It was hard. It was rewarding. It was and still is worth every bit of effort that goes into it! Babies came and everything changed…then time marched on. Babies graduated and everything changed…then time marched on. Babies got married…then time marched on. Babies had babies of their own…and time marches on. We are now on the backside of this phase of being parents. Two are married, one lives on her own, one is in college and at least still sleeps at our house, and the youngest is still in the same High School I went through and certainly is experiencing some of the same anxious wonderings his father did so long ago. In all of this…time marches on.

I could continue, but I will refrain. What we get used to and comfortable with today will be turned upside down and changed in time. And the change that we are struggling to acclimate to today, we will grow accustomed to tomorrow, and then the cycle of change will perpetuate. And time will march on. In this life filled with all of it’s changes and opportunities that are here today and gone tomorrow, it is refreshing to know that I have entrusted my life and my eternity to the One of whom Hebrews 13:8 speaks – Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever. As the Apostle Paul confidently asserted so long ago, so I do in the face of these ever-changing times:  for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. (2 Timothy 1:12). Things change, but I serve an unchanging God, and in that I can take comfort.

Time marches on…there’s no doubt in that. The fresh green hues of the leaves that we see right now will soon become a dulled version of their once-brilliant luster. Time marches on. The strength and beauty of youth will sooner or later give way to the cold hands of time and become a lesser version of what they once were. Time marches on. So, dear friend, I urge you to make the most of the opportunities you have while you have them, because today will soon be tomorrow and in a blink, tomorrow will be yesterday. So whether today or tomorrow, or somewhere else down the road, as time marches on and we face new changes that life will indeed throw our way, I’ll see you in the Great Outdoors!