Changing our changes
One of my favorite things about God is that he is unchanging.
James said, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change” (James 1:17).
When I read my Bible, I am reading the same message my ancestors would have read, albeit in a different version. I’m a fan of consistency, loyalty, and “standing firm” in almost every aspect of life.
(That sounds a lot better than stubborn and immovable, doesn’t it?)
It was time to make a change
I have to admit, I tend to remain loyal to people, routines, and companies for a long time.
Jim and I got married in 1980 and put our deposit down with a phone company. That company was purchased by another, but we stayed the course. The only time I didn’t pay a monthly bill to this company was for the years we lived in Georgia. As soon as we moved back to Texas, I signed us up again. When cell phones became the norm, I used that same company.
But, I’m about to retire a cellular family plan that was established before the flip phone! In fact, my first cell phone required an antenna that had to be pulled up.
Why am I making this change after such a long time?
Because I’m just not satisfied with that company any longer. I’ve been patient and loyal, and I’ve stood firm, but recently I’ve been asking myself: Why?
So, I decided that sometimes a person just has to change the changes.
Should we blame change on Adam and Eve
One of the most consistent themes of Scripture is change. In fact, I think change was one of the most profound results of getting kicked out of the Garden.
(Note: the following is somewhat “speculative.”)
I just left a long, interesting conversation with my theologian husband.
When the conversation concluded, he said, “I’ve never had that thought before. And I’ve never heard of anyone else who said it either.”
So, take the following for what it is: my random thinking that maybe we should think about.
The question I posed to my husband was: “Was change a result of Adam and Eve’s sin?”
I kind of thought it was. Why?
- Adam and Eve walked around without clothing. Therefore, seasons were probably not part of the Garden.
- Adam and Eve were able to eat of all the fruit, except for that one. So, planting, pruning, and watering weren’t necessary.
- The animals were created and named and lived peacefully around them.
- The only “rule” God had to explain was about the forbidden fruit.
- The first apparent change was after Adam had sinned and he and Eve felt shame.
- The Bible records a LOT of changes that took place after that.
Jim and I talked about this idea for a while, and he had to agree.
We can’t prove it theologically because the Bible doesn’t say—but it certainly seems so.
Should we change what we think about changes?
If change occurred as a result of the fall, should we think about change a bit differently?
Most of us try to limit change, yet think about all the benefits.
My phone fits in my purse or pocket now and has far more capabilities than my old computer and phone combined. Changing to a newer phone is an easy choice to make because it makes life easier.
Some changes are more difficult.
I recently visited the dermatologist. Apparently, I can make some great changes, but one of the greatest changes would be to my bank account! I’ve decided not to change those changes—at least not yet!
None of those changes would need changing if Adam and Eve had listened to God.
Maybe we need to accept change like we accept aging. It’s inevitable, but we try to change those changes sometimes.
Will there be change in heaven?
I don’t know if heaven will change, but I don’t think so.
I know that one day everyone who will ever exist in heaven will be there. Revelation 21:4 says, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Is change one of the “former things” that will pass away when Christ returns?
Heaven will be a place where we can blissfully count on everything and everyone to be absolute perfection.
Looking forward to the biggest and best change of our lives
Paul wrote about the most important change that will ever occur in this world: “Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory’” (1 Corinthians 15:51–54).
In the meantime, I will change the changes I can change and work to accept the changes I can’t change. But I will do it all with the hope that one day we will all be “changed,” and all the changes will be forever changed by the One who never changes.
So, how did these thoughts about change, change your thoughts today?
