Labor Day Ushers in Changes

Labor Day stands out in my thinking as an annual turning point. School is back in session, and daylight hours begin to shrink. Here in Colorado, daytime temperatures hover around 90 degrees, but nighttime temperatures drop into the fifties and forties, while the aspen leaves begin to trade their green for Rocky Mountain gold. In a couple of weeks our mountains will be crammed with lookie-loos and photographers, all of whom want to catch sight of shimmering–gold aspen against the backdrop of purple mountains and deep blue sky. By October, aspen gold will fade away, and snow will cover fallen leaves with a white blanket.
It may seem somewhat trite and obvious to say it, but with each passing Labor Day we get older. For some of us, the summer of life has yielded to fall, and winter will arrive as surely as snow settles on Colorado’s downed aspen leaves. The older we grow, the more health issues we experience. The passing years take their toll on our strength and durability. Now that I am two months shy of 72, I find I can’t drive a golf ball as far as I did several years ago.
What changes do you see taking place around you and in your own life?
We may not see some changes as positive, but we can feel secure in the knowledge that God doesn’t change. Nor do His promises change! The passing of a thousand Labor Days would not weaken His love, grace, mercy, truthfulness and faithfulness. His character and purpose for our lives are constant.
Here are a few passages of Scripture that encourage and comfort me in the midst of swirling changes—physical, political, social, religious, and technological.

“But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’S love is with those who fear him” (Psalm 103:17a).

“ . . . his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22b, 23).

“I the LORD do not change” (Malachi 3:6).

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17).

“”For, ‘All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever” (1 Peter 1:24, 25a).

—Jim





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