All Shall Be Well: Change Is Just A Part Of Life
By Deacon Cynthia Biddlecomb, M.Div. ELCA
Autumn is my favorite season in Los Alamos. It doesn't last long enough, but to see the leaves change color is an annual treat. The hottest days of summer are behind us. And, unless we are into winter sports, we aren't looking forward to winter temperatures or icy sidewalks. Whatever our preferences, the changing of the seasons is inevitable.
Change is inevitable. At least with seasonal changes, we know they are coming. But the unexpected death of someone important to us is never an easy change. Now that my parents are gone, I realize I am the grown-up. Now that my children have gone off to college and careers, I need to reassess: it's time to remember who I am, who my spouse is, to reclaim the love that brought us together in the first place. Now that our pastor is leaving, we need to remember who we are as a congregation and what God is calling us into.
Many encouraging words about change can be found in the Bible. Deuteronomy 31:6 says: "Be strong and bold; have no fear or dread of them, because it is the Lord your God who goes with you; he will not fail you or forsake you." Whatever is coming, we are not alone.
We worry about impending changes. We anticipate things that might not come to pass, but we can't help being concerned. Paul told the Philippians, in Chapter 4, verses 6 and 7, "Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Worrying can waste precious time and energy. Changes happen; we can accept them and move with them.
Some changes are ones we seek. Perhaps you know it is time to retire. Maybe you are ready for a new position at work or a new job. Vacations and travel can bring new perspectives on our daily routines. For people seeking partners in life, they may just know that, for them, sharing life with someone would be a change for the good. For others, finding a community of people with whom to worship is a change they need, a congregation of folks with whom to share fellowship and faith, folks with whom to share a mission to help others.
Change can be scary. We may fear the loss of a friend, or a spouse, or a parent. We might worry that changes forced on our regular routines will be hard to live with. Maybe the national conversation about change in leadership scares us, like a huge pendulum swinging out of our control. Change happens, and we need reassurance that life does go on. Experience tells us that, even if things are different, we will get through this.
Joshua 1:9 tells us, "I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Whatever happens to bring change into our lives, we have the assurance that God is with us, that, as Hebrews 13:8 states, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
