Dear Friends

I’m sure you’re familiar with the rhyme, ’30 days hath September…’ I learned it in primary school, and still use it to remember how many days in each month. But, this rhyme would have been no use in September 1752, because it was only 19 days long! This was because we changed from the Julian calendar, to the more accurate Gregorian calendar. As a result, in September 1752, Wednesday 2, was immediately followed by Thursday, 14. This change did not go down well with the general population, and there was rioting by people who felt cheated and demanded the missing eleven days back. Of course, no days had actually been lost, they had just been numbered differently.

Change always produces a reaction. Some will be happy, thinking the change is better; others will be unhappy, preferring things as they were; still others will be somewhere between the two, but almost all will have an opinion. Change is an inevitable part of life, some changes we can’t control (like getting older) others, we have more control over (like what to do with our time) Scripture tell us:

‘For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven’ (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

Even the Earth itself changes, as natural forces constantly reshape environments. The only thing that doesn’t change is God:

‘For I the Lord do not change’ (Malachai 3:6)

‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever.’ (Hebrews 13:8)

In His great wisdom, God knows we need to change, and offers to be our guide:

‘For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.’ (Jeremiah 29:11)

When we allow God into our life, change is inevitable, but it’s change for the better:

‘So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! (2 Corinthians 5:17)

God will not force us to change, His great love won’t let Him, but He is infinitely patient:

‘The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance.’ (2 Peter 3:9)

I have no doubt that God’s patient love is able to open the most stubborn of hearts, and so constantly pray for those who have not come to faith. Please join me in this.

Many blessings,

Carl