Leadership May Change But God Doesn’t
In my “memories” FB feed, I saw the congenial photo of the “smooth” transition of power from President Obama and First Lady Michelle to President Trump and First Lady Melania in 2016. It was too bad the circumstances of the current transition wasn’t as equally smooth and cordial. Things “changed” from the routine of previous years. I can’t even imagine the feelings of President Trump who had to relinquish the ominous responsibilities and scrutiny from the past four years, and now, President Biden who assumed those responsibilities. I can’t even imagine ANY ONE carrying that load upon his body and mind for a day – never mind for four years or eight years. Leaving and entering.
“Leaving” the accomplishments plus the stress and harassment behind of one and entering with the wide-eyed wonder and expectancy of the other. History was made again. History that will be taught to our young children and grandchildren for years to come.
Exits and entrances. Deaths and births. Endings and beginnings. Goodbyes and hellos. Departures and arrivals. Going and coming. All those synonyms are reminders of what it is for a season to end and new one begin. Isn’t that life? How often have I witnessed the passing of a friend or loved one and within hours or days, in the same family, was the birth of a precious baby in the same family. It is the cycle of life.
Here’s some very good news. God assures us He’s watching over all our seasons – all our exits and our entrances – in passings and births, in ending kindergarten to begin first grade, in exiting high school and entering college, in exiting single life to enter married life, in leaving one job to begin another one, in departing one country and entering another. Among all the exits and entrances and all the in-betweens, life, in any form — is just temporary.
We can throw a tantrum, a pity party, a protest, a sit-in, a march, stay in bed and cover our heads, put our heads in the sand, wail, jump up and down and resist the changes. All the while, God is probably shaking His head and saying: “Why do my kids get so caught up on so much that is just temporary?” There is one guarantee in life — change will happen.
Though change often brings on concern, anxiety and fear, God doesn’t change. He walks with us in every season of life—no matter how easy or difficult. He has a plan for our lives and that plan promises hope, a future and prosperity. (Jeremiah 29:11) If we trust in God’s “unchanging” ways and allow the change to grow us to become more like Jesus in how we respond and act, then we are promised that “All things will work together for good for those who love Him and keep His commandments!” (Romans 8:28)
Here are scriptures that affirm God’s steadfast waslk with during our “changing” seasons:
~ “I am the Lord, and I do not change.” Malachi 3:6
~ “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Heb13:8
~ “The Lord Himself will lead you and be with you. He will not fail you or abandon you, so do not lose courage or be afraid.” Deuteronomy 31:8
Bottom line – God orders our days. He knows the seasons we are exiting from and He also knows those we are about to enter. It’s a new day – yesterday is gone. Why don’t we awaken to the assurance that He KNOWS ALL and if we’ll board His ways, we’ll travel higher, further and safer than we could ever imagine. We might as well enjoy the ride by trusting our Pilot Who assures us of a safe landing!