Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not see it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:18-19
I love to listen to books on Audible, and the last author had a profound statement when he said, There is one thing that we can count on in this world and that is that everything changes. Upon considering this statement, I began to realize just how true it is. Our personal everyday lives have changed so much in twelve months. The country has changed, the church has changed, social gatherings have changed, travel has changed, and our attitudes and priorities have changed. Instead of lamenting the words, everything changes, it should be a consolation when things are rough, and a reminder to stay humble when things are good.
The first thing I realized that is changing in our personal life is location. Our neighborhood has transitioned from a fairly stable one to one with a huge turnover in homes and just as many brand new faces. We’ve gone from knowing everyone to knowing almost no one. Stollers have replaced older kids driving, young families have replaced the mid life crisis crowd, and I see more toys than ever in the yards! People our age are relocating to smaller places and homes. Everything changes.
Traditions also are changing. I especially notice that in the church services of today. The sacred organ, choir and piano music of past years has changed to worship leaders and bands, and the robes and formal Sunday attire are not seen much anymore. Not too many years ago, cell phone usage was discouraged in worship services. Please turn off your cell phones was a message on the screen because it had become a frequent occurrence for a phone to ring about 11:55 just as the service was ending. Randy loved to say, Unless that’s God calling, hang up.
Now a days, people are encouraged to bring their phones to church to look up an app, look up scripture, and even take notes. Oh, for the good old days where we used the Bible ,the hymnals, kids colored on paper, and coffee and other containers were prohibited. This is a reminder that everything changes.
Change is also evident in attitudes of people these days. There is less conversation in the grocery store, less shopping opportunities and meeting up for dinner, not to mention the the day to day lives of friends and family has changed. Small groups are now the norm instead of a large group. Family members are leery of getting together, friends want to avoid risks, and people in general are keeping their distance. Everything changes.
Change is happening in the education of today’s children. Teachers are working harder than ever to teach virtually and face to face. When we talk about being on the front lines – we see the faces teachers. Students are missing instruction, personal care and socialization. Here’s a funny but scary thought, in twenty years these children who were taught at home by adults who were “day drinkers” will be running the country!! copied Everything changes.
Change is evident in the country. In 1960, John F, Kennedy made the statement: Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country. These days people seem to want the country to accommodate their wants and needs, but they aren’t willing to step up to try and do for their own country. We have had a new awakening of those who wanted to see change, and they got it! Now, let’s see if we are willing to work to make that change work for all.
The one thing that never changes in the midst of all this is the steadfast dependability of God. God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. So amidst the knowledge that everything changes, my thoughts are that God must be in the process of doing something revolutionary! He’s changing everything!!