I woke up this morning thinking about the Robert Frost poem “Nothing Gold Can Stay.” It always felt purposeful and melancholy, but by taking a closer look a deeper message emerged — one about times of change and how they can lead to spiritual growth.
Nothing Gold Can Stay
Nature’s first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leafs a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.
Gold here is a fleeting haze of color. The first burst… the brief moment of existence before the next phase of development. It has it’s own life span; it has it’s own experience. There is perfect Eden. There is dawn.
And then there is change. These things are temporary. They only last an hour and then seem to “subside” or “sink” into the next stage, which brings a subtle feeling of loss or grief.
Emotions can stir in us when we face change, but do we recognize the rise of a new value? Do we recognize that each moment must end so another can begin, so we can grow more fully into our true purpose? Can we see that despite the season, there is God?
God Works in Times of Change
We can’t always see what’s around the corner, but God can. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but God does. Worldly beauty is fleeting, yet the beauty of God’s love is eternal. Chapters in life come to a close, yet God provides us with the “living word.”
During times of change we stop existing and start living — whether we like it or not — because our soul is forced to make a decision. Will we move with the natural and perfect order even when we don’t understand it, or will we fight and struggle to stay the same, limiting growth, fearing that the present is the only and best “gold”?
We can try to hide our face and cling to what’s in the world for protection. We can scratch and claw and turn vicisous in our attempts to control. Remember: We don’t know what’s around the corner — but God does. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring — but God does. Where are we putting our trust?
In our faith, where there is change there is God. If we can truly digest that, we can look forward to times of change. We can feel glad to blindly put one foot in front of the other. Perhaps times of change are just another test in faith.
How to Enjoy Change
We only have the present moment to live because the past no longer exits — it is not alive. Right now is alive. With that said, here are three ways to enjoy times of change:
1. Allow (and possibly enjoy?) the moment to moment.
Every minute of every day is a moment of gold. It is a moment that we live, and it is complete in itself. Even though the moment will end, it will have provided an experience. Allow the moment, and even challenge yourself to enjoy it. We could say a prayer like this when we feel fearful of the unknown: God, I feel scared, but I know this is part of your plan. Please help me stay strong as I continue to trust in you.
2. Accept that the moment must die so another moment can live.
We can’t stay locked anywhere. If we want to keep growing, we have to embrace those moments of friction when God pushes us out of our comfort zones and into something new. God always has the best plan for our lives ready and waiting. He does not force us but gently glides us toward it over and over again.
3. Remember that everything changes but God.
As these moments live and die, live and die, there is God. When we hold too tight to what’s in the world, we put ourselves on an emotional roller coaster doomed for disappointment. The things of the world have seasons that play out to complete the circle of life. The love of God is eternal. We cling to God in times of change. He will not fail us.
These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold–though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. (1 Peter 1:7)
Jen this really hit home. I left my surgery in God’s hands. And I knew he would let it be and for me to have what I need. He gave me my family and friends for support and that is all I need to get me through. And of course your writings. I cannot thank you enough for these writings. I love you so much Cousin.
jen there is alot of changr going on in my life.as you know my granpa is on hospice,davids grandmas brother jim,.my beloved cousin misty having back surgery,my grandmas health,.i put my faith in god.i konw with god all things are possible. even positive changes sometimes scare me.my sons first karate class,i was scared of silly little things. i really am grateful for your website,thank you for doing this.my prayers are with you and david and your new family.misty said she really enjoyed the baby shower.
Misty, I’m so glad you’re done with surgery! We’re praying for a fast recovery and real peace to come. You took on the challenge of change… congratulations! You’ll continue to see doors opening and blessings flooding your life 🙂
Carmen, you are facing a lot right now, and you faith is being put to the test. There is a season for all of these changes, even this phase of your grandpa Jim’s life as he moves on to the next stage with God. I went through the hospice experience last year with my pop too — he knows you’re there. We’re praying.
Love you both and thank you for your continued support, encouragement and love!
We often ask for change, but sometimes I struggle with accepting change. ..The more I seek God for directions, He added something else “patience”. This article is comforting knowing that the past is dead.The beauty is God never changes. God’s is more than able to do immeasurable things for us.Keep my family in prayer
EVEN IN TOUGH TIMES KEEP THE FAITH….
Vida — yes! I am experiencing that as well!! I wrote this post a year ago and yet I feel uncomfortable with the growing pains of change. Along with that, the message of the day seems to be “patience” — not a strong point for me. He knows our weaknesses and loves us enough to grow us. Amen!
Hello Jennifer, thank you for your wonderful posts, they are very inspiring to me because I tend to think about these issues in the same manner as well.
Regarding change, it is really true that God is always there overseeing the process and it is definitely bears its fruits in a gradual manner, more than direct. I recently moved to Spain where the motto here is ‘Spain is different’ I was excited in the beginning, but felt disappointed that I could not communicate properly with the people and this frustration grew until I had to visit home for xmass and realize that I need to accept the reality of the situation and adjust to it in order to settle into the country. Now I see that all that hard time has passed and that it was all worth it. I feel that I needed the hardships and the difficulties in making my choices, in order to evolve as a person and find happiness in my life here in Spain.
God bless you, keep these nice posts coming!
I must also thank you for the wonderful poem!