Tomorrow is the General Election here in the UK. After weeks of campaigning, TV debates, and numerous mailouts, the nation gets to decide who they want as their Member of Parliament, and more significantly who our next Prime Minister will be!

It seems to be a two-horse race between Rishi Sunak and the Conservatives and Sir Keir Starmer and Labour. Both have worked hard to try and win over the voters.

Labour has used one word as a focus for their campaign: ‘change’. They say that after 14 years of the ‘Tories’ being in Government, the nation needs a change. We shall see if this message has resonated with people when we wake up on Friday!

Change is always with us. It is defined as ‘an act or process through which something becomes different.’ Whether you like it or not, change is inevitable.

I’m someone who likes my rhythms and routines, and I am a slow changer, or to put it another way, I am generally not an early adopter. I like to take time to consider things.

However, there have been times when a quick change has been necessary. An example of that was back in March 2020 when Covid swept the nation, and we went into lockdown. Almost overnight we had to change church from gathering in person to online!

Change is in the Bible. It states there is one thing that does not change, and that is the character and nature of God. The New Testament writer said of Jesus, in the letter to the Hebrews...

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

— Hebrews 13:8 The NIV Bible

This is both comforting and encouraging, as it means that God’s core, His essence, His DNA is unchangeable.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

— 2 Corinthians 5:17 The NIV Bible

The day I became a Christian (back in 1977) there was a change, as well as the start of a journey in relationship with the unchanging God.

There have been more changes in me since then, as God graciously continues to transform me! I can honestly say I am a better person because of it.

Are you looking for change? Let me encourage you to read God’s manifesto, The Bible, and vote Jesus into your life!

God bless you :)

Gary Bastin - Hope Community Church leader