Seasons Change but God Doesn’t

Just the other day both of my boys started back to school. My oldest went to Middle School for the first time as a sixth grader while my youngest moved up to the second grade. I couldn’t’ help but think about how this reflects both the passage of time and change. First, summer flew by. It seems like it was only yesterday when my wife and I were sitting down and making plans for the summer. Now it’s gone and here we are facing Fall and another school year. Second, our kids are growing up and growing up fast. Just like the memories we see sometimes on Facebook that remind us of the past, my wife and I have pictures of our little guys that seem like they were just yesterday. So, what does all that have to say? What does it mean to this Pastor’s mind? 

I’m glad you asked because I’m going to tell you. First, time marches on with the changing of the seasons. Nothing ever stays the same except one thing and that is God. God declared to Moses in the book of Exodus that He was the great I am meaning that He is the same yesterday as He is today and will be tomorrow. He does not change because if He did, he would have had to tell Moses something other than His past, present, and future reality. So, if God does not change then this should give me great comfort because it reminds me that the same Jesus who made promises in the Bible in the past will keep them in the future. The same Jesus who saved my soul when I cried out in confession to Him that I was a sinner in need of a Savior and He is that Savior. How when I asked for forgiveness of my sins crying out for His mercy, and He saved me … this same Jesus then is the same Jesus I know now. And His mercies are new every morning! There is a steadfastness that comes with knowing Jesus in this way, a rock-hard ambience meaning that if Jesus is not going to budge, then I don’t’ have anything to worry about as long as I trust in Him.

Second, as my boys grow up their “growing like weeds” reminds me of the future
generations. Moms and Dads, I cannot stress to you enough that you only have a brief time
where you can really have a significant impact on your kids for eternity. I know personally that
our culture does all that it can to keep us on the move and because of that we can get easily
distracted, but don’t get distracted by this. Your kids are watching you and as someone once told
me, “What your kids see you do in moderation, they will hardly do at all!” So, love Jesus, read
His Word. Let your kids see you pray and even pray with them. Take them to church and talk to
them about what they learned and what you learned in church. In all things, as much as possible,
point them to Jesus and the salvation that He offers. Beyond that, point them to what it means to
be a true disciple of Christ. Why? Why the fierce thrust behind this admonition? It’s simply this,
we think we have all the time in the world, when we really don’t. Just think about the change of
the seasons … nothing stays the same and we cannot in many ways get back what was lost. As a
quote I was heard goes, “The past is history. The future is a mystery. Today is a gift. That’s why
it’s called the present.” Parents, use today for what it is, a present and make sure you use it well for God’s glory for it won’t be long before these days are gone and all they will be is a memory as one season changes into another!