I’m a college sophmore. I understand very well the concept of change. Transitioning from high school and living at home to being a college student living in a dorm brings more changes than (most likely) anything else up to that time. You go from constantly living with your parents and siblings to now having to make your own decisions. You make new friends, take new courses, meet new loves, and if you’re a Christian you hopefully grow in Christ.
Other changes come with time as well. Old friendships fade away, friends and family die, your favorite sports team gets new players, your favorite foods change, your music tastes change, your political beliefs may change, and quite possibly your religious beliefs change. The Scriptures say that “There is a time for everything, and everything on earth has its special season” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, CEV). Change will come, whether or not it is desired. I used to hate sports. Now I absolutely love football (Who Dey!). I used to be extremely conservative in politics, but since I’ve declared my political science major, I have become more of a social liberal. I was raised in church since my Dad is a pastor. I was raised as an independent fundamental Baptist, where women had to wear skirts and dresses, going to the movies was sinful, and the only good music was old hymns and gospel. Since then, we have become Southern Baptist. Now most of that is gone. I’ve gone even further. Since I’ve been at college, I’ve grown somewhat in Christ. Through study and prayer, reading theology books, and so forth, I am no longer a dispensationalist. I’m now amillenial in my eschatology. And lately for me, my theology beliefs are still moving around. I’m currently trying to figure out which I am more like, Calvinism or Arminianism.
It isn’t just me that has been changing. I’ve seen my family and friends change as well. My Dad used to be a big Dallas Cowboys fan, but since I’ve been a Cincinnati Bengals fan, he has become more of a Bengals fan. My Dad used to not be able to stand people like Joel Osteen. Now he actually likes Joel Osteen.
Whether or not you like, change is coming. Don’t worry about it. Hebrews 13:8 says that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever!” (CEB). So, the fact that things change can be a good thing. Other times, it can be extremely stressful and depressing. But Jesus is the same all the time. He never changes. And He said “I will never leave you or abandon you” (Hebrews 13:5, CEB). Take refuge in that. Like the words of that old hymn: “In every high and stormy gale, my Anchor holds within the veil.”
