Life brings us changes on a regular basis. Sometimes the changes are small, like your favorite television show moving to a new night or another traffic light. But sometimes the changes are big, like moving to a new state or a promotion or a new member of the family. We find ourselves in a constant state of inconstancy. So where do we find stability? Who or what can we count on to help maintain our equilibrium? Or for Inception fans - what is our totem?
If we are to believe Hollywood, the answer would be ourselves. We are told to seek what we want, be ourselves, follow our hearts. Though it's hard to admit sometimes, my heart is not made of the most reliable stuff. I am fickle and inconsistent.
"The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who
can understand it?"
--Jeremiah 17:9
If we are to believe our nation's leaders, the answer would be the government. Through programs and agencies our needs will be met, our routines regulated, and our safety made certain. But no amount of rules or committees could ever account for all of our trials and triumphs in this life. The leaders change, the beliefs change, the country changes. The government is made of fine men and women, but even the finest still have fallible hearts.
"Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot
save."
--Psalm 146:3
If we are to believe science, the answer would be the laws of nature. Gravity, inertia, angles of deflection - these things remain unchanged from the world around them. But will gravity always stand by my side? How are the raging seas of my soul to be calmed by mathematical formulas, theorems, and postulates?
"They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and
served created things rather than the Creator--who is forever
praised. Amen."
--Romans 1:25
There must be something greater. The things of man simply do not offer hope of the disordered becoming ordered again. Even nature, over which we have almost no mastery, does not provide us with comfort or hope for wrongs to be righted. At a time in my life when many things are changing and I'm surrounded by a lot of newness and unknown, there is but One who can provide peace.
"People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the
oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument.
Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his
purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he
confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two
unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie,
we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us
may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an
anchor for the soul, firm and secure."
--Hebrews 6:16-19a
This has been of great help to me. I hope it is for you as well. And here is one last bit easier to memorize that I hope you can keep with you throughout every step of your day:
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
--Hebrews 13:8
