Pastor's Column 9/3/2023

PASTOR’S COLUMN

“Don’t be deceived my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:16-17, NIV

“Constant And Unchanging”

The world around us is constantly changing; sometimes for good; but often to our detriment. Of course, as the changes occur, the Scripture reminds us, “Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before, and God will call the past to account.” (Ecclesiastes 3:15, NIV). For the faithful, these are not sobering words. They merely affirm the fact that within our human enterprise, we are limited at best. Despite our advances and great imaginations, which are beneficial; there is One who presides over us. If there were no God; we would be in grave danger of completely reaching our limits, without any hope of a future; or alternative to this life. The myriad changes we accomplish in life may at times, cause us to feel invincible; but the brilliance of our inventions is always derived from a finite mind. Recently, there has been discussion as to whether artificial intelligence will usurp authority over human wisdom. One committed Christian gentleman, who is a leading authority on such matters, told me recently; all that we humans invent will never surpass the persons who contrive them. Whatever we do in this life will rise or fall with us. The only perfection we could ever have, is what God gives us. While we are always changing the way we do things, as David said, “In our best state we are altogether vanity.” (Psalm 39:5, NKJV). We are indeed like “shifting shadows.” The shadows do not lead, but follow our trail. This is the message the Apostle James gave the Church over two thousand years ago. Our Heavenly Father, he says, “does not change.” In a world of flux and inordinate change, the divine character and holiness of God remains the same. When the shadows that obscure our path fade, God is always present and in control. There is no need to fear the changes, which are so obvious today. It is God, who will determine our ultimate destiny when we place our lives in His infinite care!