The more things change . . .

Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr (1808-1890) was a French journalist, writer, and satirist. Although relatively unknown by name, he had a way of turning memorable phrases.  This one is new to me, but I like it:  “Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns;  I am thankful that thorns have roses.”  Here is one we all know: “The more things change, the more they stay the same.”

We are well into the spring season.  Two things are true:  The Blue Jays are overly optimistic about their off-season acquisitions, boldly looking forward to making the playoffs, and, the Leafs are overly optimistic about how deep they will go into the playoffs.  Both teams have made changes in their lineups compared to last year.  Neither team will be league champions.  The more things change, the more they stay the same.

We tend to have a love-hate relationship with change.  We love to freshen things up, do renovations (sometimes), and to buy a new wardrobe.  We dislike computer updates that modify our settings, the flow in the grocery store when the aisles are switched around (we can’t find anything!), and the new traffic patterns that are introduced in our neighbourhoods (does Highway 8 really have to be limited to 60 KMH or less now?  It takes forever to get anywhere).

According to Psychologytoday.com, the difference between “positive” and “negative” change is our perception of control over the change and whether or not that triggers a sense of frustration or fear.  I can choose the colour I paint my walls, what type of renovation I want, and the style of new clothes I am going to wear.  I cannot choose what the computer operating system does, where the grocery store puts the pasta, or the speed I drive (consequently, how long it takes to get there).  I want my computer, my store, and my roads (and my sports teams) to be reliable and consistent.  When they aren’t, it frustrates me - especially when the net effect on daily life stays the same despite the change.  Karr was right!

The desire for security and stability seems to be hardwired into us.  We exert enormous quantities of our time and energy resources into creating systems to be prepared for the changes we cannot control, especially the unexpected ones.  That is a good thing!  Planning for the unexpected does help our stress levels.  Our challenge is to know the limits of effective planning.  Despite our best efforts, life still descends into (what appears to us to be) chaos.  From a human perspective, the more things change, the more they stay the same.

This predictable unpredictability which changes nothing can itself be a source of frustration.  It is not uncommon to hear people say, “nothing really changes.”  The Apostle Peter alludes to that in one of his letters (2 Pet. 3:4).  However, he notes, this doesn’t mean there will never be change.  A big one is coming.  Peter calls it the “day of the Lord.”  Whatever your understanding of future things, this truth is the common denominator:  things will change and they will not stay the same.

If we can see beyond the “Battle of the Timelines,” we will find a source of great hope and encouragement.  In our context of unchanging change that changes nothing, we have the boldness to assert that “it” - all the chaos and confusion - is purposeful and part of an eternally established plan.  There is reason to get out of bed in the morning, our step should have a spring in it.  After all, Part One of the The Plan has been accomplished - the birth, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ.  We are going to celebrate that in just a few weeks.

Part Two of The Plan - the timing and details of which are unknown to us - will be an ever bigger event.  We can debate the meagre details we know, allowing ourselves to be distracted with charts and timelines, or we can keep the main thing the main thing:  focusing on the truths that Part Two reflects.  It isn’t about chronology;  it is about theology - understanding the God who will bring all things to a right and just conclusion.  He hasn’t lost control.  He isn’t confused.  He hasn’t changed.  Remember Psalm 103?  He is the same God today.

As a result, we have hope, we can encourage one another, we can “plod on” in crazy times because we are certain that there will be change and nothing will stay the same.  Change is coming, and it is a good one!