Can you remember when your first romance ended? When your best friend moved away? It is hard to see good things come to an end, good relationships, meaningful projects, things that make us better than what we could be alone, and things that make us happy and give us meaning. But inevitably, certain times in our lives come to a close, and it is painful.
When Paul was arrested and placed in prison a chapter of his life closed. The mission that had captivated him was no longer. He had originally set out ot convert the gentile world and was now in prison. Now he was not able to preach and teach in the synagogues, or debate the issues of the day. When a chapter of your life closes, the change can be troublesome. We feel lost, and we search for answers. This time has a strange darkness all its own. But, during this time is when we are sure to find a closeness with that which is changeless. That which has always been the ever constant of our life. Paul found something in the Roman prison probably very quickly. The more things change the more Jesus stays the same. We love standing and professing the Jesus is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow, until we find ourselves going through and endless cycle of change, and then we just want the ride to stop so we can get off. Don’t you find it odd that Paul in the midst of despair of the prison cell could write and share with the Philippians of his being filled with the fruit of righteousness? Perhaps Paul had been through so much change in his life he was used to leaning on the thing that never changes. What fruit are you producing during these times of transition? We are not allowed the privilege to sit and wait for the ride to stop so we can get off and begin to produce fruit. Transition is a constant in our lives and we are urged to produce in the midst of transition. Transition should never be an excuse for lack of fruitful behavior.
In a world where chapters open and close frequently, we search for stability, certainty, and assurance. Many look for a bedrock in a world of quicksand. Those of us who have seen that the more things change the more Jesus stays the same will be like a tree…yielding its fruit in due season. Father help us remain rooted in you that the goodness of your steadfast love will produce fruit in our time of transition.
On the journey with you this last trip,
Kirk
Posted on
Wed, September 22, 2010
by Kirk Norman