They say, “the first and last steps are the hardest.” I must confess to feeling that way today as I walked my son down the hall to his kindergarten classroom for the very first time. As I held his little hand in the big building, my mind raced with the sweetest memories of five precious years spent in his warm, witty, wonderful presence. I fought back the tears, while each step brought us closer to the end of an era. Finally, after a lingering look and a long hug, I said good-bye with the brightest smile I could muster. He smiled back with his classic “thumbs-up” and I knew he’d be just fine

Change, an unstoppable force, weaves its way in and out of our lives rather coarsely and often without any regard for convenience, comfort or boundaries. But, “change,” like every other force of heaven and earth, is subject to Sovereignty. “[God] has made everything beautiful in His time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11, NIV)

God is a masterful artist. With paint and perfection, He toils away at a canvas whose true beauty we can only see in glimpses and incompletion. We see the revolutions of days and years pass in semblances of order and chaos, fortune and misfortune, sense and mystery. But God sees the supreme purpose in every change concerning our lives, understanding fully the reason for its time and season. A divine design is, at all times, in flawless progress as only He can draft.

Every now and then, a humble soul glances the elaborate enormity of His plan and stands utterly awed; yet, still there remains untouched depths of revelation. We cannot even “fathom” the full beauty of His grand masterpiece. For now, we walk by faith, but there is coming a day when our faith shall become sight. Matthew Henry encourages us: “Though we see not the complete beauty of Providence, yet we shall see it, and a glorious sight it will be, when the mystery of God shall be finished. Then every thing shall appear to have been done in the most proper time and it will be the wonder of eternity.”

Almost any hardship is made more tolerable with the promise of significance. Whether change is pleasant or ruthless, we can rest in the certainty of Providence. Each end and each beginning is drafted with deific purpose and therefore, meaningful. Our expectation is not ease at every turn, but significance in every moment. We simply walk by faith in humble dependence on God, living out our parts in holiness with eternity pulsating in our hearts.

So, whether it’s the first day of a rough transition, a job, a re-location, a commitment…or of school…celebrate your new beginnings. Each fresh start is robust with hidden potential and uncovered treasure. Each dissonant and melodious note is an essential element in a perfect composition. And, “change” (in all its delight and gloom) dutifully satisfies the higher agenda. Let’s celebrate every new beginning, every new season. After all, who can tell what sorts of joys have been sketched just a few feet ahead?

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, KJV)