by Elder Aries de Vera
Lamentations 3:22–23 (ESV) “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Nearly 20 years have passed since I first set foot in the land of the maple leaf, and in that time, I’ve watched the world around me shift in countless ways. For almost two decades, my body has adapted to the harsh extremes of Canadian weather. Winter, spring, summer, and fall—each year brings a never-ending cycle of seasons. The temperature changes. The color of the leaves changes.
I was drawn to Bob Dylan’s iconic song, which serves as the backdrop for this reflection. The times are always changing. Whether we like it or not, almost everything in this world is subject to change. The price of my beloved double-double from Tim Horton’s has nearly doubled since my very first sip. The TTC buses, once simple and classic, have transformed into something resembling Optimus Prime. Grocery prices are rising faster than the CN Tower. Metropasses have vanished, replaced by Presto taps.
The political climate hasn’t been immune to transformation either. Social issues that were once sidelined are now front and center. Laws, rights, and public sentiment shift like the seasons themselves. Voices that were once silent now speak loud and clear. Subcultures that once existed in the margins now influence the mainstream and help shape public perception.
Here in the local church of Toronto, I’ve witnessed different eras of service to God. I’ve seen the physical evolution of the building itself—inside and out. People come and go. Leadership transitions have marked each new chapter in its glorious and revered history. Every passing year has become a stepping stone for growth and expansion. The church I knew two decades ago has changed immensely—changed for the better. It is dynamic. It is organic.
As I reflect on my own life, I see the changes within me too. One of my favorite songs is called Constant Change, and it reminds me that in life, change is inevitable. As the saying goes, “The only thing that doesn’t change is change itself.” I was young, but now I am wiser. I’ve been through life’s highs and lows—laughter and tears, victories and defeats, good days and not-so-good ones. I’ve embraced all of them.
And in retrospect, I realize that witnessing the changes in myself and the world around me has only deepened my appreciation for the power of God. Through all the shifting seasons of life, He remains my anchor. Changes may be constant, but so is His faithfulness. His Word remains the same—powerful and true. I’m reminded of this truth in Isaiah 40:8, “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” His calling doesn’t change, and neither does my identity as His own. I am unique. I am peculiar. I am blessed!
Through all the shifting seasons of life, He remains my anchor. Changes may be constant, but so is His faithfulness. His Word remains the same—powerful and true.
God’s love endures forever, and He continues to call this generation to receive the gift of salvation. Through the power of the Gospel, lives are being transformed (Romans 1:16). His promises remain unchanged—to me, and to His Church.
In a world where everything seems to be in swift constant motion—where seasons shift, systems evolve, and lives are reshaped—I find peace in knowing that some things remain unshakable. While the world changes around me and within me, God remains the same yesterday, today, and forever. His truth anchors me. His grace sustains me. And as I continue this journey through ever-changing landscapes, I walk forward with confidence—not because I’ve mastered change, but because I am held by my God who never does.
Reflection: In what ways have you seen God remain constant through seasons of change?
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