WHO GOD IS

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17

Consistency is one thing children need from their parents in order to grow up into healthy adults: consistency in providing for physical needs, in demonstrating unconditional love, and in simply showing up and being present in their children’s lives. Unfortunately, not everyone experiences this kind of consistency from their parents. And even the best parent fails to be 100% consistent 100% of the time.

There is only One in the universe who is.

James tells us that God does not change like shifting shadows (James 1:17). He is not, like so many of us, fickle, unstable, faithful one day and then unfaithful the next. He is always who he says he is. And he says he is the giver of every good and perfect gift.

Sometimes life makes it difficult to believe this is indeed who God is. And our experiences—especially related to the inconsistencies of significant others—begin to influence our perspective of God’s nature. He doesn’t *feel* consistent, so he must not be. No one else has ever been; so why should he be any different? It’s in these moments we have the opportunity to decide where we will place our trust: will it be in our own understanding and interpretation of our circumstances? Or will it be in what God has said about himself in his Word?

He has said he does not change. He has said he is the giver of EVERY good and perfect gift. When we hold onto this—no matter the circumstance—we grow up into maturity and begin to look more like Christ.