Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.  Hebrews 13:8

“Well after the last Democrat and the last Republican have passed off the scene. Jesus will still be on the throne.” 

My dad has a way of getting to the heart of the matter. And those where his wise words to me as our bi-weekly phone conversation ended yesterday.  My dad just turned 80 this year, so he’s seen a lot of change in his lifetime- spanning the administrations of fourteen presidents, from FDR forward.  But nothing is quite like what we’ve seen in these past few years, and this year in particular.  It feels like we are at a unique societal tipping point as we sit at the intersection of COVID, racial and social unrest, a deeply divided nation and the national election today.   Maybe we’ve been there for a while.  But as a nation, it feels like we’re driving too fast on a foggy night and can’t see that the bridge is out just around the next bend. Things are changing and changing fast.

I think I have a fairly low tolerance for change.  On a scale of 1 to 10, I probably come in around a 4. I enjoy some change: trying new foods, varying my schedule, and exploring new places on vacation.  But monumental life change or the restructuring of society? Not so much. Significant change that happens fast, often leaves me anxious, uncertain and tentative.

It’s like motion sickness.  You know, that queasy feeling you get on a winding mountain road or a deep-sea fishing trip? It can be debilitating. Newly commissioned navy personnel get motion sick, as do astronauts and airmen.  I get it watching an IMAX movie.  But most people are susceptible to some form of motion sickness if things get violent enough.

Do you know how to prevent or even cure motion sickness? Focus on a distant unmoving object, like the horizon.  It’s a proven fact. Focusing on something that is not moving helps our brain to adjust and compensate for the unexpected motion we are experiencing.  It’s called restoring the “true visual horizon.”

That’s what we need for our souls right now.  We need to focus on something unmovable, to get our eyes off the swirl around us and restore our true visual horizon.  And that’s where Jesus comes in.  In a world spinning out of control, He never changes.  He is stable, constant, unwavering and secure.

I love you, Lord; you are my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. Psalm 18:1-2

Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, but you are the same, and your years have no end. Psalm 102:25-27

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand Isaiah 40:8

For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed. Malachi 3:6

If we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself. 2 Timothy 2:13

Like Peter walking on the water, we needed only to keep our eyes on Jesus and our spiritual motion sickness will subside. But when we get distracted by the tumult around us, we begin to sink.  I’m going to fix my eyes on Someone who never changes.

I don’t know who will win the election.  I don’t know how long it will take to count the ballots or what will happen when a winner is declared.  But I do know two things.

“Well after the last Democrat and the last Republican have passed off the scene. Jesus will still be on the throne.”

and

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.