We live in a world of changes. A move to another house is a shift in our physical home and neighbourhood. Whereas, a move to another country is a shift in more than just a physical home and neighbourhood. It usually involves macro and micro shifts in languages, cultural behaviours, currencies, time zones, cuisines, modern developments, environmental landscapes, etc. To adapt to this large-scale change, we change ourselves to a certain extent.
After I move from South Korea to a closed country, the changes were rather substantial to me. From a somewhat polluted city to another with concentrated pollution; from a tight-knit learning community to a large, distanced campus; from “legally” worshipping Christ to “illegally” serving Him in house churches.
And that is merely a move within Asia. Imagine the changes when I moved from Singapore to the Czech Republic. The central European cultural greatly contrasted Asian cultures in general.
As you may have known, even countries themselves change. I was shocked at the speed of change in modern developments and trends during my visits to S. Korea and my first repatriation to Singapore.
Because our lives are constantly filled with changes, we may shift our focus to our surroundings if we’re not careful. Especially when situations seem to flow against us. Perhaps a friend’s attitude turns sour towards us, or a family member didn’t live up to our expectations. In response, we may blame people, worry, become angry over small matters – even other people’s matters – lose patience, and attempt to control each detail.
Changes occur so often that they shouldn’t shock us. However, in the midst of changes, we have the One who never changes.
His Nature
“For I am the LORD, I change not … ” Malachi 3:6a KJV
God is immutable. What is the meaning of the word immutable? Cambridge Dictionary defines it as, “not changing, or unable to be changed”. Hence, God is not changing. He is unable to be changed. His character remains the same for eternity.
While I read the Bible, I would write His characteristics in my diary. Two of them are Redeemer and Shield. Thus, He is always a Redeemer and Shield. Continuing with more attributes – God is always Love; He is always Gracious and Merciful; He is always Faithful; He is always Holy and Righteousness and so on.
His Word
Because He doesn’t change, His Word doesn’t either. That means the truth, gospel, His promises, prophecies, and plans are set in an everlasting stone.
"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." Matthew 24:35 KJV
For instance, He promises, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9). And this precious promise, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
Another example, a personal promise this time. God promised me a career after my family moved to the Czech Republic. We moved and I applied for jobs, but I couldn’t get one because I’m a non-European citizen. But remember, His promise doesn’t change.
As I waited for a potential employer to willingly process my work pass, God nudged me to write a short story. After its completion, I found that writing was the career; however, it was more than a career because I was writing to glorify Him. His promise remains the same. He didn’t retract nor change it. My situation may turn out differently than I expected and wanted, but it was His plans, not mine.
Why do we often take our eyes off Christ? Why do we focus on this crazy changing world when we have an unchanging God? Aren’t we thankful that we can continue to trust God, the One who never changes?
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 KJV
Reference:
Immutable. 2020. In Dictionary.Cambridge.org. Retrieved September 5, 2020, from https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/immutable
TCKs for Christ: Administrator
Clarissa Choo
is a vessel used for Christ and desires to encourage TCKs to live victoriously in Him. She’s an ATCK, a former business kid, and has lived in four countries. She seeks to follow the Lord’s calling in her life to missions. She also serves at Light Unto Darkness. Connect with her Instagram at @ClarissaChooWriter.
