So, What Now?

It's crazy to think that the world we're living in now is very different from the one we lived in just a couple weeks ago. 
The changes in our lives came rapidly, leaving us often with more unknowns than knowns.  Just a few days ago, we felt like we had a lot of our life under control, now many of us have very little control over the things that seem to matter most. . . 

We find ourselves asking questions like:
Will I have a job?  Will there be enough money? 
How will I care for my children, my home, my animals? 
Will I get sick?  Will they get sick?

We sit in our homes, many not used to being home all day, and we sit here with our questions, our concerns, our frustrations, our disappointments, our fears. . . 

And we ask, what now?

Of course, I don't know how this is affecting you personally. 
I expect some of you are able to continue life, somewhat normally, while others of you have had your lives turned completely
upside down. 
Some of you find yourself without school or work and you feel claustrophobic, bored and irritable. 
​Others of you are working harder than you ever have, with greater risk, and you're tired, overwhelmed, and defeated.

I don't know what your struggles are. 
I don't know how you feel or what you fear.
But while I don't know what your life looks like right now,
I do know this:

Our God, our Savior Jesus Christ, is the same
yesterday, today, and forever! 
Over and over again in his word He promises us that
He Never Changes!

And while you may be reading that and thinking, "I know, I know," 
as you sigh and struggle to let that truth bring you comfort,
hear me out. . . .

You see, I (like many of you) am not a fan of change!  I find the unpredictable and uncertain to be very stressful and unsettling. 
I like to know what's coming and plan accordingly.
But over the past few weeks, we have had the "rug pulled out from under us" and we are reeling, trying to find our footing.  Unfortunately, the information that affects our lives is changing so quickly that we barely have time to react, much less plan, before new information and changes are in front of us.

This is where God's Immutability (unchanging nature) has become so very important to me.  

Because, while everything around me changes,
I can go to God's word and I can seek Him in prayer
and He is EXACTLY the same as He was the last time that I did. 
His character, his promises, his sovereignty, his Salvation -
they are ALL THE SAME!  

So, while reading Facebook or watching the news leaves my head spinning and my heart racing, reading God's word leaves me standing straight and stable with peace in my heart.  

I read that God is good and merciful and faithful.
I read that God is mighty, and all-knowing,
our "strong tower" and "ever-present help in trouble."
I read that my sins are still forgiven, my Jesus is still alive,
and the Holy Spirit is still my comforter!

And I remember that regardless of what the coming days, weeks, and years look like,
in the end, our God STILL reigns!

"Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look, God's dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with them.  They will be his peoples and God himself will be with them and will be their God.  He will wipe away every tear from their eyes.  Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away." Then the one seated on the throne said, "Look, I am making everything new." ~ Revelation 21: 3-5a

​I am praying for you, my friends.  I am praying that you will seek God and find comfort in Who He is amidst the chaos of our lives - He never changes!