It is said that there is nothing so constant as change; why then, is change so difficult for us? Heraclitus, a Greek philosopher, spoke these very words so many years ago: “Change is the only constant in life.” You would think that we would just naturally accept it over time; yet, each new life passage is always a challenge of sorts. We must continuously adapt to ‘something different’.
It is as if we travel through life opening doors, one by one. Each time, we find ourselves in an altogether brand-new room. We wonder sometimes, ‘how exactly did I get here?’ We may have imagined that this unfamiliar space would be more welcoming or ‘fun’. Sometimes, our expectations and reality are not one and the same. And sometimes, we open a door, and it is like, ‘wow, I never expected anything could be so awesome!’
To be certain, the rooms are all very unique. Recently, I was in a coffee-shop by a nearby university. The place was filled with college students. Some of the students were bent over computers, studying, or writing papers. Some were just enjoying a cup of coffee. All of them looked so young and fresh-faced. For a brief moment, I could not help but think it would be great to be that age again! I thought back to those college days and all the fun we had. But then, I remembered. Those ‘college days’ were not all fun and games. I looked again at the young people in the room. Although young, their eyes showed concern and worry. They were intent on their studies. Surely, they are at a point in life where there are many unanswered questions; no age, young or old, is perfect, or without questions of what to do next.
As we go through life, opening and closing doors, one chapter ends, and another begins. No matter what age we are, the idea of a ‘new room’, can be exciting, or scary, or both! It just depends on the circumstances. We might be getting ready to retire and are thinking about relocating to a new state. We might be starting a family, and wondering what it will be like when the little one arrives. While we are excited to make a change, we still have some apprehension as well.
Here on this earth, we sometimes find ourselves in places we would rather not be, even on a temporary basis. It could be a time of illness, or a time in which we are grieving the loss of someone we love. It could be we are struggling with loss of any kind. It hurts. The ‘room’ is not a happy place and we want to move on.
The truth is that no matter the room we find ourselves in, God is there with us. Once we have knocked on his door and entered therein to His divine love and presence, we are blessed. Each room unlocks the mystery and grace of God at work in our lives. Each room holds the promise of ever-closer union with Him.
I love the verse of scripture that reads, “In my Father’s house are many mansions. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?” John 14:2. God has made sure that we are part of his own family. We are each one of the kids; He has a room ready for us when we come home.
God has graciously planned a room for us in eternity, knowing we would need a place to be. He didn’t set us up in some hotel far out of town; He made room in His own house! And if God put that much planning into our eternal lives, just think what He can do with the rooms we find ourselves in now.
So, wherever we are, whatever the room we find ourselves in, we must celebrate our blessings. Our Heavenly Father is anxious for us always to be ‘at home’ in His outreached arms. Everything is ready for us. No detail has been forgotten. The door is always open, and the welcome mat is in place.
Every room, every new encounter where we feel a little bit lost, God is already there. Things may feel strange to us, but we are no strangers to God…we are family! If we need a little help rearranging the furniture or we stumble over a throw rug time and again, He wants us to know that we are important to Him, and some changes may be in order. He wants us to know that no matter the room in house, we are always at home with Him.
