Psalm 102:25-27
Of old You laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, but You are the same, and Your years have no end.
2021 has finally arrived and not a minute too soon! Sifting through the train wreck that was 2020 and reflecting on this psalm it dawned upon me that we live in a turbulent ever changing world where the only constant is change as the psalmist likens it to the wearing out of our favourite tee shirt or the change of clothes we make every day. Just as we were beginning to see the light at the end of the Covid tunnel, newer strains of the dastardly virus are starting to emerge from Spain and the UK muddying the waters and dashing our hopes that the vaccines would be that simple solution to yesterday’s nightmare. To add insult to injury, CNN then ran a segment on the re-emergency of the deadly “non Ebola Ebola” virus where there symptoms of the disease are exactly like the Ebola haemorrhagic fever but the virus has changed. The economic entailment of the pandemic are poised to unravel in this new year. Our own political landscape is still mired in quicksand. The change in events is so rapid and unsettling that so often we are left not even knowing how to feel or react to the future that is 2021. Should we be cautiously optimistic or morbidly pessimistic and pack up our stuff and head for the hills?
Some years ago Dr Spenser Johnson wrote a best seller called “Who moved my Chesse” which was a humorous depiction of how change effects people and how we can cope with change. In his book there were 4 characters cast as mice in a maze called — Sniff, Scurry, Hem and Haw. The book told a tale of how they each reacted to the re-location of their cheese in the maze of life. Sniff represented someone who sniffs out change early. Scurry represented someone who scurries into action. Hem represented someone who fears and denies change. Finally Haw represented someone who learns to adapt in time when he sees change can lead to something better. Spencer went on to write that the most important lesson is that we need to learn is to adapt to change. The corporates taking the cue from Spenser went on to create a whole new aspect called “Change Management” to equip executives to handle this reality of life. While all that might seem helpful, the psalmist has a different take on change. You see, the reality is that the flux of change actually serves to enhance our perception of what is constant. While not discounting Spenser’s point on the need for adaptation to change, we need to heed the psalmist to learn through change to lean on what is constant and the real foundations upon which to build our hope and our lives upon. Whilst our first reaction might be to turn to family as the core of what is constant sadly, even that changes. If you live in a family of 4, one of you will wind up burying the other 3 sooner or later. That is life’s cruel reality. Which does not mean that one should not be too emotionally invested in one’s loved ones but rather, one should realise that our lives have really only one foundation and that is the One who never changes.
Through the ebb and flow of the Covid numbers and the ever changing parameters of the MCO or RMCO or CMCO (one can barely keep up) we have seen the hand of God upon our church. We have seen so many step up to the plate and have kept the services going online and not only keep them going, they have enhanced the service with new programs in the music and content to bless the congregation. God is still working in our outreach to the poor through the Covid fund and team. The Alpha program has not been bereft of attendees even in the absence of the traditional Alpha meal. The kids are flourishing with God’s Word through a Sunday school held on zoom. We have even seen how God has raised up new leaders to minister the Word and enhance the pulpit. God has moved His people to give online and we have no lack in the provision for His ministries and our cup overflows with funds going Sabah to bless hundreds of children with bibles. This afternoon we will see a fresh new slate of deacons and a new chairman take the helm of the church.
The turbulence of 2020 has been brutal but the hand of the Lord has been firm and reassuring. That is why moving ahead into this new year our hopes for the year are undiminished because we have a God who is “the same, and your years have no end” Hallelujah …FBC the best is yet to come…..He will return, that is the one thing you can count on.