The only thing that is constant is change itself. ~ This idea is attributed to an Ancient Greek philosopher, whose name I cannot pronounce. While I believe his observation to be mostly true, it is not completely true.

This summer alone I have observed many changes. The view out my front window have changed as the local electric company has trimmed and taken out countless trees that were decades and decades old around the power lines in my neighborhood. I reconnected with an old friend at my brother’s wedding to find that both of us had changed in situations and appearances, yet life’s alterations were things we had in common – parenting daughters, teaching positions, health similarities. Change is also VERY evident within my home as well. There are boxes and bins as we are moving our oldest daughter to graduate school ten-ish hours away. Our middle daughter is learning to drive, which requires transitioning quite a bit of control. Then, our youngest daughter is in that precious and precarious place between elementary and middle school where toys and games shift into more preteen pursuits.

There are other changes happening in my world. My body isn’t as young as it used to be. I can’t take certain activities for granted any more. My husband and I are praying through next steps and holding the future out before God with open hands, telling Him we are open to whatever and wherever He has planned for us. Additionally, I am in between school years and with new one rapidly approaching, I am facing new responsibilities to tackle, new colleagues to get to know and new students to connect with.

This constant cycle of change isn’t new, nor is it unique, to me. All of us are experiencing change on any number of levels at any given time. Our world, our nation, our states, cities and homes are inundated with changes. It is stressful and it can be overwhelming. These are just two of all the complex emotions and responses that are characteristics of living in constant seasons of predictable and unpredictable change.

So, where am I finding my sanity in all this chaos? How am I managing all this “newness” and uncertainty? Why can function in all the developments, adjustments, and modifications?

Because that Ancient Greek philosopher, whose name I cannot pronounce, was wrong, there are some things that don’t change – namely, my God and His character. In the God of the Bible and his immutability (the fact He doesn’t change) I find security for my sanity, faith to trust His will and peace to sleep at night.

As I am reading my chronological Bible reading plan, I have seen this phrase pop up over and over and over again: “steadfast love.” It is first used by God to describe Himself to Moses when He is giving the Israelites a second copy of the Ten Commandments. (Exodus 34:6-7) The people have already forgotten all God had done from them, namely liberating them from slavery through a multitude of supernatural interventions. Giving them these words again, He is showing and proving His love is indeed steadfast. It isn’t dependent on their words, actions or even motivations. It doesn’t change and neither does He.

Often this phrase is coupled with the word “faithfulness” (as it is in verse 6). Steadfast. Faithful. Sure. Steady. Solid. Enduring. Unchanging.

As I reflect on this attribute of God, alongside His other characteristics, I am reassured in all the sifting sand around me, He is indeed the rock on which I can stand. Because He is immoveable, I can be assured of an absolute truth that is absolutely true. I can trust in His sovereignty (more thoughts on this here) and know that He is in control, especially when I can’t figure out what He is doing (more thoughts on this here). My God cannot be defined by merely one thing, but He is all of them together – each aspect adding and building upon who He is.

This is why I am reading my Bible each day, to know Him – who His own word tells us He is – more and more. This is why all the changes happening in my world and in the world this summer are not overwhelming and paralyzing me. This is why I am not anxious or depressed – because that Ancient Greek philosopher, whose name I can’t pronounce, was wrong. My God is constant AND because of who He is, being steadfast and faithful, His words are true too.