Waist sizes change; styles, tastes, trends change; hair color, relationships, interests change. Faces, places, even talents change.
In Western thought, the idea that change is central to the universe originated with the ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus of Ephesus.
He also held that there is a fundamental order to this change, which he called the Logos. It was from Heraclitus that we gained the phrase, “The only thing that is constant is change.” In one of his dialogues, Plato quoted Heraclitus as saying, “Everything changes and nothing stands still…and…you cannot step twice into the same river.”
What is it then that we can count on as staying constant? “God has not changed; and His ear is just as quick to hear the voice of real prayer, and His hand is just as long and strong to save; as it ever was.”
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That’s how R.A. Torrey, a minister and evangelist who was active in the early 1900s, put it. I came across this quote for the first time recently, and it struck me with a sense of both wonder and comfort.
Throughout the ages, God has provided millions of people with a constant in their lives. As life’s paths twist, turn and switchback, as doors close and others open, we have the opportunity to recognize the steadfastness of God’s will and presence in our lives.
Sometimes it takes more work on our part than other times, but His presence is there for us, to assure us, to reassure us, to bring us hope and acceptance.
A conversation with Heraclitus about the nature of God would be interesting indeed. I am sure I would learn a great deal from this great Greek thinker.
I hope that I would come away with a deeper understanding of the unchanging presence of God, his willingness to listen and provide hope and comfort.
