Scripture: John 18:33-37

Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.

Devotion:

"The only thing constant in life is change." The older I get, the more I realize the truth of this statement. Just in this past year Joel and I have gone through countless changes as we listed our house, sold our belongings, and set out on this adventure around the world. In just a couple weeks we are getting ready to change where we live again - spending two weeks on the road, a week in one place for Christmas, before arriving in the new year in the next place we will live for more than a month. Yes, we chose this life of near constant change (and love it!) but even if you life what you consider to be a fairly stable or normal life, if you really take a look you will likely see change all around. 

And yet, as Christians, I would argue that change is not the only constant in life. Today is known in some churches as "Christ the King" Sunday. It's the end of the church year, the culmination of everything that starts again next week when we begin Advent, and preparing for the birth of Christ. But today we celebrate this other constant we can trust - the constant that Christ is King, that God loves us, that nothing can separate us from God's love. 

Our lives will change constantly, people coming in and out of them, changing jobs, changing locations, changing preferences and likes and dislikes. Our political world will change constantly; different leaders will rise and fall, some we like and some we strongly dislike. Our faith will change constantly, being stronger one day and weaker the next. But Christ as our King will never change. 

What comfort can you take from this truth today? In the constant ebbs and flows of life, Christ as our King provides a safe harbor in the storms. Cling to this truth, and let it guide you every day. 

Prayer:

Oh Christ our King, we give thanks for your constant in our lives. We know that change will come our way, some we want and some we don't; we pray that in all things we will feel your presence with us, and trust in your grace. Amen.