Changes, Changes, Changes

By Rodney Nulph

As we look around to the wonderful sights of autumn, we continually are reminded that nothing stays the same. It seems like just yesterday that it was warming and spring was quickly approaching. However, here we are at yet another stage in life, and another season is rapidly nearing. The evenings are cool and crisp and the nights remind one to give thanks to God for the warmth of a good heating source. As I reflect on the changes that so quickly come each season, I am reminded of the words of Solomon, “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Life does not stand still for anyone; it rapidly marches on, and things change. Our physical bodies age and change; our minds loose their sharpness; our joints and muscles hurt like never before; and what used to be a thing of minimal effort soon becomes a task of great pain. There truly is for everything a season.

When we are young, we feel as though we will never age, but soon that thought diminishes with the passing of time. Young and old alike must realize that change does occur, and for that reason we all must understand that the only lasting thing is our eternal soul. Many of the seasoned members in the church can think back to a time when they could run and work with little pain; they did not break as easily, and they healed much more quickly. However, we all soon realize that our physical bodies are very transient. The truth is, “For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away” (1 Peter 1:24). Nonetheless, we know with absolute certainty even though our physical bodies age and wear out, our souls are refreshed and renewed each day. The apostle Paul gave hope to each of us when he assured, “but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16). Christians, fear not what happens to this physical tabernacle that houses our eternal soul. Your eternal soul will neither wear out nor will it perish with the passing of time. Some future day, if we remain faithful, we will enter a land that knows no decay, sorrow or heartache. The apostle of love promised, “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Revelation 21:4).

        May God help us to meditate daily on the assurance of a better place, and may we ever be mindful of the fact that although time does change the physical, time only brings us closer to an eternity of spiritual refreshing. As time continues on, Christians have the “hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began” (Titus 1:2). Let’s live in the hope of heaven, and let’s live with the assurance of a better tomorrow.