A few years ago, a movie came out entitled, “Pleasantville.” Nothing changed in Pleasantville. Everything remained the same. Everyone was happy. Same routines, same daily schedules, and the same cycle of events day by day. Slowly, through a chain of events, things began to change. The change was very unsettling to most as they did not know how to respond to it. 

We do not live in Pleasantville. Life changes rapidly. More often than not, too rapidly. Years ago, the world around us embraced stability as something to be valued. That too has changed. Today, the world values change. Remaining the same as we were yesterday is considered a weakness. Doing things the same way we used to is a sure way to failure in the technology and lifestyle of today’s world. 

The problem I find in all of this is adjusting to change. Just about the time that I finally catch up to the changes around me, things change again. I was just beginning to catch on to VCR’s—at least how to change the clock on them—and then out came DVD’s. I was just beginning to catch on to DVD’s, and out came the MP3’s. There is no end. Change in technology is one thing. Change in my personal life is another. Life can be such a yo yo at times. Calm one moment and chaotic the next. Exciting one day and exasperating the very next. How does one adjust to the sudden changes around us and within? We don’t live in Pleasantville.
 

However, this very characteristic of our world is what God can use to open the doors of mission before us. Our mission is to enter into the lives of people torn by change and offer them a changeless Christ. His Word assures us, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). 

This was the secret that Paul discovered through the many changes in his life. He knew what it was like to experience the highs and the lows of life. He knew what it was like to have food on the table and what it was like to wonder where tomorrow’s supper would come from. He knew what it was like to be respected by many and what it was like to be reviled by others. Paul did not live in Pleasantville either, but he did live in contentment. His secret: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). 

This is not mere positive thinking where we say with the little red engine in a children’s story, “I think I can, I think I can.” This is a confidence that is rooted in Christ, not me, who enables me to accomplish what He calls me to do. The changes of life can be overwhelming, flooding over us and filling us with despair and fear. The disciples knew all too well the unsettling nature of change. Anticipating the death of Jesus, their lives were soon to be turned upside down. Listen to what He says to them and to us, “Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me” (John 14:1). These words, “let not your hearts be troubled” are a command of Christ. When the spirit is troubled and we find ourselves worrying, there is something we can do: “Believe in God; believe also in Me.” The way to stop worrying in the midst of change begins when we stop focusing on ourselves. That is what worry is all about. When I worry, I focus on me. When my heart is directed to focus on Him, I worship. In the midst of changes, Jesus invites and even commands us to focus on Him, the one who never changes.
Helping people live life with Jesus everyday,

Rev. Dr. Brent L Parrish