The One Constant

Theme: The One Constant
Verse: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." — Hebrews 13:8

Being a Tampa sports fan is a double-edged sword these days. As I write this, the city is basking in the glory of the Rays sweeping the Yankees in the American League Division Series, while the Buccaneers are sitting at 0–4 on the season, with ESPN not projecting a win until the first part of December.

Real life can be like that as well. School, jobs, relationships, and just about every other part of life can proceed like a sine wave (my daughter is a math teacher, so I had to get that in there). Wonderful highs can be followed by equally difficult lows. One day everything seems to be going our way; the next, we wonder what happened.

Our circumstances may change. Our relationships may evolve. Our jobs, health, finances, and plans may transform. But God is constant.

James reminds us that God is the giver of every good gift and that with Him there is "no variation or shifting shadow." — James 1:17

As we proceed along the sine wave of life, it doesn't pay to get too cocky during the highs or too panicky during the lows. Instead, we can remember where our stability comes from.

God doesn't promise that there won't BE valleys; He promises to be WITH US in the valleys.

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear..." — Psalm 46:1–2

Our friends, family, situations, and environments may change, but Jesus remains the same. Having Him as our Rock steadies us and gives us the ability to cope with the changes in our lives that are inevitable.

And perhaps the greatest assurance of all comes from Paul's letter to the Romans:

"For I am sure that neither death nor life... nor things present nor things to come... will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." — Romans 8:38–39

As your life follows its own roller coaster, the track will have climbs and descents. You may not know what's coming around the next turn, but you know who is with you. The peaks and valleys may make for a very different ride, but both are part of the journey toward the destination God has for us.

I guess the best message is this: Don't let the highs make you forget God, and don't let the lows make you doubt Him.

Jesus was with you yesterday. He is with you today. And He will be with you tomorrow.

Hold on to the One who never changes.

Have a GREAT week—and enjoy the ride!