Unchanging Goodness
I’m glad to offer my page today to Jason Thompson a fellow Word Weaver and pastor at Renovation Church. After you read his thoughts on unchanging goodness, read about Jason and his new book.Worth No Less.
I started my education at a small Baptist church school. I loved it. Class sizes were small, everyone was friendly, and the curriculum was fun. My favorite teacher was my first grade teacher, Ms. Turner. She was caring and kind and instilled in me a love for reading. 
My least favorite teacher from that school was that same Ms. Turner. As my second grade teacher, she was stern and demanding. Where had the fun gone?
It had been stamped out by a change in administration. The leadership of the new “academy” made us wear ugly uniforms, chose miserable costumes for performances, and implemented new rules.
Worst of all, the new principal was a mean old lady who went around with a ruler, whacking hands of misbehaving students. I’m not kidding. It was as if we were living in a movie filmed in the 1930’s.
It was difficult getting used to the new environment, and it didn’t help that the rules kept changing. One day, a student accidentally hit a teacher in the leg with a swinging lunchbox. The next day, a school-wide policy was implemented, forcing students to carry lunchboxes by hugging them close to their chests with both arms. See what I mean? Rules.
Sometimes, new rules were made and enforced on the fly. One morning, while I was drinking from the water fountain the principal walked up behind me and smacked my right wrist with a ruler.
“Get your hand out of your pocket! We do not drink from the water fountain that way.”
Who knew there were rules for drinking from water fountains? I was unaware of the insidious nature of drinking water with one hand on the button and the other shoved in a pocket. It was rude and disrespectful. What did she think about holding a glass? I never found out.
From that point on, I began developing stomach issues. I missed several days of school that year. My parents suspected I was trying to avoid school, and maybe that was part of it, but the stomach pain was real. Anxiety was eating my insides.
Change has a way of doing that; especially if the changes are sudden, unexpected, and for the worse. No one likes these types of changes.
This is why one of my favorite promises of God is that He is unchanging.
I am the Lord, and I do not change. – Malachi 3:6
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. – Hebrews 13:8
The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever. – Isaiah 40:8
I love that God does not change. Sometimes we doubt His consistency and faithfulness, but it is humankind that changes. Our societies change. Our cultural preferences change. Our behavior changes. Our friends change. Our hearts and minds change. But not God. His goodness and mercy are forever faithful and unchanging.
The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. – Lamentations 3:22-23
God’s faithfulness and His love never change. His Word is always relevant and applicable. It is a sure foundation that we can trust to lead us through any situation.
We live in a society where rules constantly change. Masks, virtual schooling, travel, and CDC guidelines have been thrust into our lives. Political opinions have escalated to a point we’ve not seen before. Even the new normal changes.
Stress and anxiety are natural responses to changes and conflict, but as followers of Christ, we don’t have to respond that way. We can look to our eternal constant and find peace. We can surrender our steps to Jesus Christ and let Him direct our path. His Word is faithful and true for any season and society. His unfailing love is an anchor to keep us grounded in a sea of change. I wish I had known that truth when my school changed.
Let’s embrace the peace of mind God offers and rest in His unchanging goodness and faithfulness, even when we are surrounded by change.
What are your thoughts about our unchanging God? How have you experienced His faithfulness?
Jason Thompson, a pastor and author for Renovation Church, has a heart for discipleship. He believes the church should be the one place everyone feels loved and valued but sometimes people feel unconnected. That’s one of the reasons he wrote WORTH NO LESS , a new release available by clicking here. For more details about the book or his blog, check out his website . https://worthnoless.com
The Conversation
Very nice to meet you Pastor Jason. The ever-changing world we find ourselves in only serves as a stark reminder that THIS is not our home. And while the day may come when we have to decide to invoke Acts 5:29, we can hold steadfast in the knowledge that God does not change. As long as we seek His understanding, by studying His word and applying it to our lives, what happens in this world will matter little. So enjoyed your post sir, and will certainly be checking out your book. God’s blessings.
Thanks, J.D.! I’m really glad to have made your acquaintance. I’ve enjoyed your articles on Twitter for a while now. I agree, we are rapidly approaching a time when obeying man and obeying God will stand in direct opposition, and choosing God won’t be as easy as it has, but I’m excited about how such testing of faith will grow and strengthen the church. Thank you for your kind words and support!
Thanks for sharing your story. I can never understand why teachers act that way. I guess they think they are instilling discipline but all it does is make kids afraid. Who can learn that way? I had a 4th grade teacher that still brings back bad memories. She didn’t hit with a ruler but the whole year wasn’t pleasant. So thankful we can turn to Jesus to take away our anxiety and fear. He is the healer of all and helps us through those difficult times.
Yes, it’s hard to understand a teacher who treats people that way. I taught English 7 years before becoming a pastor, and as frustrating as students can be at times, I can’t imagine acting that way, You’re right, we are so fortunate to be able to turn to the healing of Jesus Christ. Thank you for reading and responding to my post!
I’ve always wanted to be the safe person for my students. I’m sorry your experience was so awful. My second grade teacher once hit me on the back during a math lesson and I’ve hated arithmetic ever since.
I’m grateful our Father’s “mercies are new every morning”.
Blessings,
Tammy
Oh Tammy, that’s awful! I’m sorry that happened to you. It was Geometry that killed math for me rather than a teacher. It’s amazing how one bad experience can change our perceptions so drastically. But for the Lord’s mercies, as you mentioned, we would all face harsh realities. Thank you for sharing and commenting on my post!
Sorry you had to endure a school environment like that one. I’m also thankful that God doesn’t change.
Absolutely! Thank you for your kind words!
As a career teacher, I am deeply saddened by your experiences, but we need to be aware of the weaknesses in our system so we can be better. If we want our children to enjoy learning (and that’s what schooling should be), their schooling experience should be filled with well-planned, interesting lessons, that challenge them, while providing a memorable and rewarding education. But, even more important, our children should be in an environment where mutual respect, love, and concern for one another are the norm, not the exception. Our Lord is the best example for how we should treat others. I’m thankful for your ministry, Pastor Jason.