Friday; November 5

Okay, it is time for one of my semi-annual public service announcements. This Sunday morning signals the end of Daylight Savings Time for much of the nation. While this is one of my favorite nights of the year (because we get to fall back an hour), it also rekindles the discussion of the need to change times twice a year. Does this really need to happen in the 21st Century or should we just leave things alone? I don’t know the best answer to this question – and, frankly, it really isn’t that big of a deal to me at my age – but it does serve as another reminder of the fluidity of life. In other words, not only does our time change, our times change. Centuries ago, the wise man described the constantly changing seasons by noting, “There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven - A time to give birth and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted. A time to kill and a time to heal; a time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance. A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones; a time to embrace and a time to shun embracing. A time to search and a time to give up as lost; a time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear apart and a time to sew together; a time to be silent and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate; a time for war and a time for peace.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). As much as we would like to believe that our tomorrows will be the same as today, the truth is that we need to be prepared for change.

While there is a consistency in change, there is one constant we can rely on. The New Testament reminds us, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8). Let’s be prepared for the changes of life by being anchored to the firm foundation of a belief in Jesus. Without Him, we can be overwhelmed by an uncertain life; but with Him we can enjoy benefit of an unwavering faith.

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