Pastor's Corner - 2/26

Things Never Stay the Same

There is something about winter that can feel endless. The cold lingers. The trees stand bare. The days are short and gray. Yet no matter how harsh the winter has been, it never has the final word. Spring always comes.

God has woven that truth into creation itself. Seasons change. Darkness gives way to light. What seems lifeless blooms again.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, forty days (not counting Sundays) that lead us to Easter morning. It is a solemn beginning. We remember that we are dust (Genesis 3:19). We reflect on our sin. We repent. But even here, we are reminded: things never stay the same.

Lent leads somewhere.

It leads to a cross.
And beyond the cross, to an empty tomb.

On that glorious Easter morning, we celebrate that Jesus Christ has conquered sin and death. As the apostle Paul declares: 

“Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 1 Corinthians 15:54–55

Because of Christ’s finished work, the story does not end in sorrow. It ends in triumph.

Winter gives way to spring.
Repentance gives way to rejoicing.
The cross gives way to resurrection.

The prophet reminds us of this steady hope: 

“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22–23 

Even in our personal winters, seasons of grief, struggle, doubt, or weariness, we cling to the promise that God is at work. He is the One who makes all things new.

As Paul writes: 

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 

And ultimately, the promise stretches beyond this life:

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21

Prayer:

LORD, we turn to You with grateful hearts, knowing that whatever season we may be going through will not last forever. You remind us that things never stay the same. In You, we have a hope that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

You and You alone have conquered sin and death. For those of us who put our hope and trust in Your finished work, there is victory, life, and peace. Even when life feels difficult, like the cold and barrenness of winter, we trust that winter always gives way to spring. Just as Good Friday led to the empty tomb, sorrow gives way to the joy of the resurrection.

Strengthen our faith in the waiting. Anchor our hearts in Your promises. Help us to look forward with confidence to the glorious gift that awaits all who belong to Christ.

Thank You, Lord, for Your faithfulness in every season.

We pray all of this in Jesus’ name.
Amen.