Good morning…
On the morn of this mid-May weekend, the unsettling winds of change swirl within and around. Some of us will race to graduation festivities, end-of-the-school-year activities, or the final game of a hard-fought state tournament. Some of us will face health crises, hospitalization, or the final hours with a heaven-bound loved one. Some of us will make space for prayerful pondering, crucial conversations, or memory making moments. As we each race, face, and make space, do you sense with your skin the beckoning breeze of our God?
In contrast to the fast, frantic pace of our fractured world, right now I feel drawn to the phrase, “same yesterday, today, and forever.” This phrase grounds me. It grows me. It graces me with peace. So I put these five words into the search bar of Biblegateway.com, and I find the verse where God’s permanent promise lives. Hebrews 13:8 (NIV) whispers, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Calming. Connection. Constant companionship. Getting my inner sail out of the world’s gusty chaos, I get down to my gut and center my Self in Christ’s ever-presence.
Then, reading the words to the left of this verse, I receive a restful reminder. Hebrews 13:7 encourages, “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.” Settle. Stabilize. Simple strength. This soon-to-be-sunny spring day, I spread out to give thanks for the spiritual mentors who nurture my soul.
Next, I explore the wise words that follow. Hebrews 13:9 reminds, “Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace…” Grace. Gifted. Gradual growth. As I choose not to be carried away by the wild winds of this world, I am grounded in the grace of our living LORD.
God’s beckoning breeze is always blowing. In this very moment, I choose to erect my inner sail, catching and keeping Christ’s peaceful power. Will you also set sail with the One God who is the same yesterday and today and forever?
…Sue…
