EXPRESSIONS OF FAITH
Faith lets us weather change

By Russell Stephen Pang

In Ecclesiastes, Solomon said: "There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heaven: a time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to uproot; a time to kill and a time to heal; a time to tear down and a time to build; a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance; a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them; a time to embrace and a time to refrain; a time to search and a time to give up; a time to keep and a time to throw away; a time to tear and a time to mend; a time to be silent and a time to speak; a time to love and a time to hate; a time for war and a time for peace."

Is Solomon teaching us that life involves change?

Dale Carnegie said: "Ninety-five percent of people don't like change." Yet in our desire for permanence and predictability, many of us anchor ourselves to temporal things. Aren't we setting ourselves up for frustration, anxiety and disappointment if our primary focus isn't on the unchangeable God?

James said: "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

Jesus said that a wise person doesn't build a house on the sand but on a rock.

In our quest for security, wouldn't it wiser to build our foundation on a relationship with Jesus by seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness?

Wouldn't a meaningful relationship with an immutable God who will never forsake us provide us a positive outlook on the sudden changes in life?

Jesus said: "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer: I have overcome the world."

Paul also said that Jesus is our peace. So what was Paul's commitment to Jesus to acquire peace?

Paul identified with Jesus at Calvary: "I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

We too can follow Paul's example by presenting ourselves as living sacrifices to God and renewing our minds with Scripture.

As the Holy Spirit transforms our lives, so we will live to please God.

But, if our commitment to Jesus is less than 100 percent, peace will be elusive as our conflicted thinking will not be fully centered on God.

Certainly momentary thrills are nice but do they bring lasting peace? When they don't, we're back to searching, searching, searching.

For those disciples who are living a fully committed life to Jesus, hallelujah! And for those who aren't, isn't it time we stop living in denial?

Russell Stephen Pang is a member of First Presbyterian Church. Expressions of Faith is a column that welcomes written works from leaders in faith and spirituality. E-mail faith@honoluluadvertiser.com or call 525-8035. Such works may be published or distributed in print, electronic or other forms.