CHANGE: A FACT OF LIFE

We live in a world of change, yet we act on the basis of continuity.  Change is a fact of life.  But somehow we fear change because it seems to be unfamiliar and it disturbs us.  We ignore it, we avoid it, and often we try to resist it.  Continuity, on the other hand, is familiar, it provides safety and security.  Thus, when we plan for the future, we prefer to assume present conditions will continue, but they rarely do.  Because of this we experience unnecessary losses and miss unseen opportunities.  If we could learn to anticipate change and be prepared for it, we could make it work for us and not against us.  There is a very natural human desire that things should always remain unchanged, but to succumb to this is death. Alvin Toffler in “Future Shock” warned that the future would shock us.  In order to avoid that shock we must learn to master change.  The new approach is to recognize that change is natural and to be expected and that continuity is unnatural and to be suspected.

Our relationships change as we move to new places, experience illness, and ultimately face death.  A friend of mine sent a beautiful anecdote about life.

Life: a journey on a train 

Life is like a journey on a train... with its stations... with changes of routes... and with accidents!  At birth, we boarded the train and met our parents. We believe they will always travel on our side. However, at some station, our parents will step down from the train, leaving us on this journey alone.

As time goes by, other people will board the train; and they will be significant: our siblings, friends, children, and may be the love of our life.  Many will step down and leave a permanent vacuum.  Others will go so unnoticed that we don't realize that they vacated their seats!

This train ride will be full of joy, sorrow, fantasy, expectations, hellos, goodbyes, and farewells. Success consists of having a good relationship with all the passengers...requiring that we give the best of ourselves.

The mystery to everyone is: We do not know at which station we ourselves will step down.  So, we must live in the best way - love, forgive, and offer the best of who we are.  It is important to do this because when the time comes for us to step down and leave our seat empty -- we should leave behind beautiful memories for those who will continue to travel on the train of life.

Yes, change is the one certainty in our world. Henry Lyte's melancholy line in his hymn "Abide With Me" is true: "Change and decay in all around I see." But the hymn immediately adds, "O Thou who changest not, abide with me!"

Let us thank God (He is our firm foundation, who can give us confidence and security in this changing world) for the privilege of being part of the journey and have a joyful journey in the train of life!  To face life's changes, look to the unchanging God.

I thank you for being one of the passengers 

who is a source of strength and comfort 

for me on this train!