The Effects of Change

The following post is written by an East-West missionary to East Asia.

Change affects everything in a missionary's life.

For example, in the last two months we've slept in at least nine different beds, only one of which was ours. We've driven at least nine different vehicles, none of which were ours—including a wonderful friend's Mercedes-Benz.

Right now, in the USA, we're working mostly on the computer, different from working with people when we live in Asia. We stay up late and get up early to communicate with the missionaries we care for because their day is our night and vice versa. We've traveled thousands of miles trying to recruit more workers and encourage supporters while in the USA.

It's easy to feel displaced. There are few constants in our lives. Change rules.

Mentally and emotionally, change wears on us. Yes, we've gotten better at packing toiletries and small bags of clothes. But change fatigues us. And not because our bed changes often.

The corruption of sin makes all of us people of the status quo. We want easy, comfortable, habitual lives. Change eliminates that possibility.

So we cling to a truth first penned by Moses. He led millions in a flux of constant change for 40 years! Grumblers complicated the journey, but Moses kept life in a heavenly perspective and found his home in God while moving through the desert.

"Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations … Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.” –Psalm 90:1, 14

We struggle with change. We wish for consistency. But we strive to sing for joy each day. We strive to be satisfied each morning with Jesus' perfect love. We strive to find our home in the One who is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

Strive with us in this journey.