The Center for Leadership Excellence and the Commission on the Status and Role of Women in the NC Conference have teamed up to send monthly emails of encouragement to women in ministry. If you would like to be added to the list to receive these emails, sign up below.
The one thing that is constant in life is change. Change may come forcefully like a tidal wave, or creep along incrementally like a glacier. It might come in the form of devastating tragedy, pandemics, difficult choices, broken relationships, or new opportunities. Yet, in the midst of our challenging and ever changing lives, God’s steadfastness remains constant.
Read: Lamentations 3:22-23 and James 1:17
We are encouraged throughout scripture, in the Old and New Testaments, of the steadfastness of God. God is immutably wise, merciful, good, and gracious.
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23)
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17)
Reflect:
I have experienced change that blessed my life in ways I could never imagine. I have also had changes that rocked my life to its very core, leaving in its wake uncertainty, disappointment, scars, and pain that only God could heal. In the conflux of my life, I remember that the God who brought me to and carried me over my mountain top is the same God with me in the valley. Trusting our unchanging God is the only way we will be able to balance and stand in a world that seems to be spinning out of control.
How change affects us often depends on our perspective. Think about the changes you have experienced in your life. What have you learned and what would you do differently? Based on your past experiences, how will you deal with change and help someone else who is experiencing a life altering situation?
“Give yourself fully to God. He will use you to accomplish great things on the condition that you believe much more in His love than in your own weakness.” ~ Mother Teresa
Take Action:
We are all experiencing significant change right now. Who can you reach out to this week to offer a word of comfort and hope? Take some time to think about who you would have encountered in a normal week before the stay-at-home order. Who might need a word from a friend this week? Consider sending an email or a simple text message to let them know they are not forgotten.
In partnership,
Center for Leadership Excellence and the Commission on the Status and Role of Women
We are grateful to the Rev. Rhonda Grant Jordan for writing this month’s issue of Encouragements.