February 2023
The Same
B. Keith Chapman, President & CEO
If you are like me, you enjoy going out to eat at a nice restaurant with friends and family. When I go to a familiar restaurant, I am always drawn to order my favorite dish. I have difficulty trying something different if I really like a particular meal. I just don’t want to risk ordering something that may not be as good and end up disappointed. So, I usually find myself ordering the same meal or two every time. Many of us are creatures of habit that enjoy the consistency and comfort of knowing what we are going to get. However, even the best of restaurants can struggle with quality and consistency causing our favorite meal to fall short of our expectations. Howbeit insignificant, this is one example of many things in life that rarely remain the same and can be a source of disappointment and frustration.
Because we are imperfect, we all change over time. Some change for the good and maybe even some for the worse. The goal, of course, is to mature in our skills, abilities and understanding, becoming better with experience and age. The Apostle Paul describes this very process in Ephesians 4:21-24, “Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God truly righteous and holy.” Paul makes it clear that we are to have renewed thoughts and attitudes. This renewed vision, or purpose, focuses on each of us becoming more like God himself. This can be confusing for some as they struggle to understand how we can be like God. In the book of Genesis, God makes it clear that He created each of us in His own image. God desires for us to live a life that is holy and acceptable to Him. Not that we are perfect, but our mission should always be to become more like Him each day. Some would suggest that our maturity in this world is naturally occurring. We learn through experience and get better at those things we do frequently. However, I would suggest that the maturity that Paul is describing is not accomplished by passive behavior. Our imperfect nature forces us to be deliberate in our focus on those things that are righteous and holy.
God is often referred to as the Rock of Ages. This of course is a picture of a strong and consistent foundation in which we can trust all things. We must not forget that God is perfect in all ways and provides a foundation that can’t be matched by anything this world has to offer. Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” It is encouraging to know that the same God that created the world is the same God we have access to today.
Challenge: From an earthly perspective, nothing stays the same forever. There will always be disappointments, hurts and challenges. Commit to putting your trust in the only One that is the same yesterday, today and forever. Then build your life on the rock that will never fail.
Published: February 1, 2023
