Skip to main content

Anchor House Week 9: Change

The deeper I get into my new role the easier it is to seek routine. At the SeaPort very few things are routine besides break time and lunch time. Everything else is subject to weather, shipping schedules, and numerous other factors. As I was told by Trish when I started, flexibility is key.  

Coming from the dynamic environment of intercollegiate athletics there are many similarities. Flexibility was needed in that role too. Rain has forced many a delayed game or the rescheduling of a game. I think for most of us there is some degree of flexibility required in our lives. The Greek philosopher Heraclitus is quoted as saying, "The only constant in life is change." 

I am guessing most of us have heard this saying or some variation of it. It is something we can, most likely, appreciate. This is especially true after the last 24 months we have endured. We saw global change at a rate we've never seen before. Behaviors and cultural norms all shifted seemingly overnight. Change certainly impacted each and everyone of us.

While change happens often and requires us to adjust it is not the only constant in life. There is one, and only one, true constant (sorry Heraclitus). God's love is the only true constant. John 3:16 tells us of the nature of God's love. God's love is so immense he gave his only son that we may have eternity with God, basking in his love. Jesus Christ is the embodiment of God's love. God's love is a constant and the same forever, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8). 

In the face of the change this world may throw your way. Take heart in God's love. It is the only constant in life. 

Be blessed and be a blessing,
Matt

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Anchor House: Week 6 Buried Treasure

When I started at Anchor House I committed to write at least one blog per week. Writing is something I enjoy and a way I get to interact with God. I can recall wanting to write about Anchor House in the days before I started, but my knowledge was limited..  To be honest I felt like I knew three things before I joined Anchor House. First,  Anchor House was a mission at Port Manatee (the Seaport, not the jail) Second, I knew it was a mission that my church, Westside Christian Church, supported with our Show Love funds.  Third, I knew God was calling me to serve Him there. However, what happened at Anchor House day to day was something of a mystery to me.   After being here for a few weeks I have learned quite a bit. I know where to look to find out when ships are coming in or departing.  I have learned that I am just tall enough to hit my head where most seafarers don’t. I have learned that flexibility is the key to serving at a seaport. One of th...

Anchor House Week 4: Strawberries

This week I had the chance to come through on a promise I made to one of our regular ships. When they were in port last we were hanging out in the break room with the crew. Somehow we got on the subject of strawberries, Florida strawberries of course. I made the bold statement that Florida strawberries were the best. Trish followed up by clarifying that Plant City’s are the best. She had a point that is hard to argue with. In the discussion, I told the seafarer that I would bring them some strawberries next time they were at Port Manatee. Sure enough the next time they were in port I ran to Detweillers, first thing in the morning, and picked up a half of a flat of some of the most beautiful strawberries you've ever seen. They were big, red, perfectly placed in the container in a neat and orderly fashion. They looked magnificent. As we approached the ship, the seafarer whom I had made the promise to waved and said, “You remembered!” After we boarded the ship, we t...

Welcome Children

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child to Him, and placed the child among them. And He said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me." - Matthew 18:1‭-‬5 NIV This past Sunday was simply life-giving at Westside Christian Church. The energy and excitement were palatable. My daughter couldn't wait to get to church. She was excited to worship with her friends and have fun together afterwards.   With the VBS takeover, the church was packed! Sure there were a few seats open, but there was a line of people standing in the back. It is safe to say it was "standing room only". Fitting with the story of Zacchaeus that Pastor Russ shared.   Jes...