Lake Travis United Methodist Church

Well, there’s a bit of change happening at our church. My daughter was sharing her feelings about it with me tonight. For our family, it’s really the first time for us not to be the ones leaving and for my daughter to experience being the one left behind. Change.



As I watered the garden today, by hand due to the drought we find ourselves in, I had a lot of time to think. There’s been a lot of change over the last almost 2 ½ years. But even more simply than that, life is always changing. God shows us that through the seasons. And we have the old adage – “seasons of life,” but it’s one thing to say it, and another thing to feel it in your own life. 

My family has gone through a lot of change. Almost to the point that I feel more comfortable with change than things staying the same. But it doesn’t mean change isn’t still met with lots of emotions – sometimes happy, but many times sad. 

I wonder what that is? Why we try to make things stay the same, when actually, they’re always changing?

In “The Sabbath” book by Heschel, he talks about at the very end, how God is always creating. This notion that is sometimes communicated – that God has said all He’s going to say or done all that He’s going to do – isn’t actually what we see in the Bible. What we learn is that God is always creating – He is always creating something new through His children. And look at His creation of what is on this earth! (We just got back from two weeks in Montana where we hiked all over Glacier National Park. Think of what you’ve seen over the years!) Nature is always changing as well.

God shows us through His creation that change is meant to be a part of life. So how do we learn to embrace it? What does God teach us to do with change?

Ecclesiastes 3:11 – He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

If you go and read Ecclesiastes 3:1-11, this scripture will probably ring a bell. But what I want to highlight is verse 11.

“He has made everything beautiful in its time.” As I’ve grown to say, and shared with someone just the other day who is searching for truth in their life…living a life with God does not mean that it will be easy, but I truly believe that it is beautiful.

“He has also set eternity in the human heart.” What a gift is that?!!! The promise of eternity; the hope of eternity; the knowledge of eternity is such an incredibly special gift that God gives to us! When we come to that place in our lives that we truly accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior and all the truths that He imparts to us, the peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:6) floods in, and floods into that place of eternity. We just had a conversation with someone the other day about what comes after death. And for this person, they weren’t sure about God. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27). I know that these words from scripture speak straight to my heart, humble me, and make me ever so thankful.

“Yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” Isn’t that amazing to think about?!! We can’t fathom what God has done. Many times in our daily lives, we try to take control of things and put things in order. Yet that is God’s job as He has shown us from the beginning of time. For me there’s peace in knowing that only God knows everything from the beginning to the end, and that He did not create me to be incharge. He created me to love Him, to love myself, and to love others (Mark 12:30-31).

God wouldn’t let this scripture escape me either. Hebrews 13:8 – Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

I believe, that wherever you may find yourself in a season of change, that God asks us to stop the turmoil, to stop the wondering and trying to control what seems to be spinning out of control, and rather to meditate on His love and His Word. And when we do, I think we’ll find that God is in control. And that brings us peace.

May God bless your time with Him this week. May you look upon the face of Jesus and see Him in all His glory. May the Holy Spirit move in you in ways you’ve never felt before. Amen…So be it 😊

@Lake Travis United Methodist Church 2022