Some Things Never Change
“Sale! Up to 70% off! Last chance!”, read the brightly lit sign in vivid yellow and blue. A family huddled next to a cart full of back-to-school items, the father watching intently as his children fiddled with the new lamp he had picked up and the mother deciding between a pale white or muted green backpack for her youngest starting kindergarten in a couple of days.
The month of April is — to many residents in Japan — a season of new beginnings. For many of us, the beginning of a new season can be daunting. It may be the excitement of something new, the promise of something better, or a farewell to the familiar. Regardless, a new season usually means change.
This school year brought about many changes for me. I started out as an assistant teacher for Seeds class, and about halfway through, went on to being the assistant teacher for the Elementary classes. With little experience in working with elementary students, I initially felt very out of my comfort zone. The unexpected change scared me and I did not feel ready for it. Our school theme this year is found in Proverbs 3:5-6, which says,
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.”
Recently, in the Lower Elementary class, we looked at Daniel’s story in the Old Testament. Daniel was a young man taken from his country to the foreign kingdom that invaded his land. Needless to say, he experienced a big change. Yet, there was one thing that did not change — God’s reign in his life. Throughout his time there, he remained faithful to God in the midst of the worship of foreign gods, societal pressures, and jealousies from his colleagues, recognizing that God is above all earthly rulers and kings. He trusted God for provision, revelation and deliverance. His true story reminds me that some things never change.
For those who put their faith in Jesus, our identities as beloved children of God, utterly loved and undeservedly chosen, will never change. We can bravely approach a new season, a new day, a new change with our constant — Father God who works out all things for our good, Jesus Christ who gave Himself for us, and the Holy Spirit who helps us. The Bible says that God is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
Just as Daniel continually acknowledged God through prayer and trusting Him amid the changes in his life, we too can boldly go to God in prayer and have Him direct our paths. What better way to live than to allow the God who sits on the heavenly throne, ruler over all, to work out all things — all changes — for the good of those who love Him.
