Good morning. It is truly a blessing to be together this morning, gathered as the body of Christ.
We live in a world that is constantly shifting beneath our feet. From the moment we are born until our final breath, life is a relentless process of change. Think about it: our bodies grow and change; relationships evolve, sometimes deepening, sometimes drifting; careers begin, pivot, or end; technologies emerge that reshape our daily lives; the communities we live in transform; and the wider world seems in perpetual flux.
Some changes are anticipated – the turning of the seasons, a child growing up and leaving home, planned retirement. We can prepare for these, to some extent. But many changes are sudden, unexpected, and can feel deeply unsettling: a sudden job loss, a health crisis, a move we didn't want, the unexpected death of a loved one, unforeseen hardships that disrupt everything we thought was stable.
How do we honestly feel when the landscape of our lives shifts so dramatically? When the familiar comforts, the routines we rely on, the security we've built, seem to disappear or change shape? Consider even smaller changes – a major road closure on your usual commute, a new piece of software at work that completely alters your workflow. These minor disruptions can reveal a deeper human tendency to feel unsettled by the unfamiliar, to resist having our "cheese moved."
This morning, I want us to explore this common human challenge by considering a simple, widely known analogy, and then grounding our response – not in mere human resilience – but firmly in the unchanging truth of God's Word.
Many of you may be familiar with a popular short story that uses a simple metaphor to talk about change. It features characters in a maze seeking "Cheese" – a metaphor for what we pursue or depend on (security, success, comfort, a particular outcome, a specific relationship, or even a familiar routine). The maze represents the environment of our lives – the places we inhabit, the circumstances we navigate.
In this story, these characters find a large, abundant supply of Cheese at a place called "Cheese Station C." They are overjoyed and settle in, building their lives around this discovery. They become comfortable, even complacent, assuming this large supply of Cheese will always be there.
But then, one day, the Cheese is gone. It has moved.
The story highlights the vastly different ways the characters react to this sudden and unexpected change. The mice, Sniff and Scurry, are simple and instinctive. They notice the dwindling cheese supply quickly and, when it's gone, they immediately lace up their running shoes and set out into the maze to find new cheese. They don't overanalyze; they just act.
The little people, Hem and Haw, are more complex. They react with disbelief, frustration, anger, and fear. They feel a sense of entitlement to the cheese that was there. They resist the change vehemently, staying at the empty Cheese Station C, hoping the old cheese will reappear, lamenting its absence, rather than venturing into the unknown, potentially scary, maze to search for something new.
Eventually, one of these little people, Haw, begins to realize the futility of staying put. Despite his fear, he makes the conscious choice to leave the empty station and begin searching. He takes small, hesitant steps into the maze, learns from his experiences, overcomes some of his fear by taking action, and gradually finds new cheese. Along the way, he learns valuable lessons about anticipating change, letting go of the past, and the freedom found in movement. Hem, sadly, remains stuck, paralyzed by his fear and resistance.
This simple analogy, while secular in its origin, provides a helpful lens through which to examine our own responses when the "cheese" in our lives – whatever we rely on or value – disappears or changes. When life takes an unexpected turn, how are we, as people of faith, meant to respond? Is it just about adopting a better attitude or personal resilience? No.
Our response to change is fundamentally different because it is rooted in the unchanging character of God. Turn to our anchor text, Hebrews 13:8: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
(Pause)
This is not a casual statement; it is a profound theological truth. Jesus Christ, who is God incarnate, is immutable. He does not change in His nature, His character, His power, His love, or His promises.
I. The Rhythms of Change: A Divinely Ordered Reality
The world described in Scripture is one where seasons change and circumstances shift. Turn with me to Ecclesiastes chapter 3, verses 1 through 8. The Preacher writes:
(Read Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 - ESV)
"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silent, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace."
The Preacher, writing under divine inspiration, describes the cyclical, sometimes contradictory, nature of life "under the sun" – life from a purely earthly perspective. This passage is a profound statement that change is not a glitch in the system; it is part of the created order and occurs within the sphere of God's sovereign oversight.
This means change isn't inherently bad. It's the setting for our lives. All that happens – the "times" for everything listed – happens within God's knowledge and ultimate purpose. As Romans 8:28 assures us, God works all things, including the changes and trials we face, for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.
Change itself is not the anomaly; it's the rhythm of life under the sun. Our challenge is how we respond within that rhythm, grounded in a greater reality.
II. Our Eternal Anchor: The Unchanging God and His Unchanging Word
While the world Ecclesiastes describes is full of flux and uncertainty, the ultimate reality for the believer is different. Our hope is not in the stability of the changing circumstances, which is fleeting. It is in the stability of the One who created and sustains them.
Our anchor text rings with this glorious truth. Hebrews 13:8: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
This immutability of Christ is a core truth about the divine nature. The prophet Malachi declared this same truth about God the Father centuries earlier, saying in Malachi 3:6, "For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed." Because God is unchanging, His covenant, His promises, and His faithfulness towards His people remain secure. His character is utterly dependable.
And just as God's character is constant, so is His revealed will and truth found in Scripture – His Holy Word. Psalm 119:89 declares, "Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens." Jesus Himself emphasized the permanence of divine truth when He said in Matthew 24:35, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away."
In a world where everything seems to shift – moral standards, cultural norms, economic forecasts, our physical health, political landscapes – we have an eternal, stable reference point: God and His unchanging Word. This provides a level of peace, security, and guidance that no amount of worldly "cheese," no stable circumstance, could ever offer. Our faith is anchored, not in the temporary and fleeting, but in the eternal and constant. This is the source of our steadfastness.
III. Responding to Change: Lessons from the Maze, Applied Biblically
So, how does this eternal anchor – the unchanging God and His unchanging Word – shape our response when our "cheese" moves? Let's revisit the characters in the story and see how their reactions, viewed through a biblical lens, teach us about navigating change with faith and obedience.
A. The Danger of Fear and Resistance (Like Hem)
Think about Hem's reaction: the disbelief, the anger, the complaining, the absolute refusal to leave the empty cheese station. He felt wronged, entitled to things staying the same. His fear of the unknown maze, the potential difficulty of searching for new cheese, was greater than his discomfort at being stuck with nothing.
Biblically, this mirrors a fundamental lack of trust in God's presence, power, and provision. When we focus solely on the difficulty of the change or the loss of the "old cheese" – the comfort, the plan, the security we had – rather than on the God who holds the future, fear takes root and can paralyze us.
We see this throughout Scripture. The Israelites, repeatedly, despite seeing God's miraculous power deliver them from Egyptian bondage, would fear the challenges in the wilderness and long for the perceived security of their past, even though it was miserable (Exodus 16, Numbers 11). Peter, walking on water towards Jesus, was doing the impossible as long as his faith was fixed on the Savior. But when he took his eyes off Jesus and focused on the wind and the waves – the changing, fearful circumstances – he began to sink (Matthew 14:29-30).
Fear is indeed a powerful snare (Proverbs 29:25). It can prevent us from seeing God's hand at work, from obeying His call to move in a new direction, and from experiencing the blessings He might have for us down a different path. The reaction of Hem, saying "This isn't fair! I liked it the way it was! I'm not moving!", while a common human struggle, is rooted in a lack of faith in God's ability to sustain us through transition and to lead us to where He wants us to be. Remember the powerful truth of 2 Timothy 1:7: "for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." Overcoming this paralyzing fear is an essential act of intentionally choosing to trust God's promises and leaning on His unchanging nature.
(Pause for Reflection)
As you consider the changes in your life, where might you be reacting like Hem, allowing fear or resistance to keep you stuck, unwilling to embrace what might be next because you're clinging to what was?
B. The Path of Active Faith and Learning (Like Haw)
Now, consider Haw's journey. He initially shared Hem's fear and resistance. But eventually, driven by necessity and a glimmer of hope, he makes a conscious choice to leave the empty station and venture into the maze. It's not easy; he's scared, he takes small, hesitant steps, he gets lost sometimes, but he keeps moving. He learns that taking action, even in fear, is the only way forward. He learns lessons along the way about himself and the maze, discovering that the fear he had built up in his mind was often worse than the reality of the journey.
This resonates deeply with the Christian walk. We don't navigate life's maze based on mere secular self-improvement techniques or blind optimism. We are called to walk by faith, taking steps of obedience even when we don't see the whole path clearly ahead.
The writer of Proverbs encourages us, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6). This isn't passive waiting; it's active trust – acknowledging God's sovereignty, seeking His will, and taking the steps He leads us to take.
This leads us to a crucial biblical principle: faithful obedience. James 1:22 commands us, "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." Our faith in an unchanging God is not just a belief held in the mind; it is a life lived in responsive action. When faced with change, faithful obedience means actively seeking God's will in His unchanging Word and stepping out to do it, even when it feels uncomfortable or uncertain. Jesus said, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments" (John 14:15). Our love for God motivates us to obey, and our obedience demonstrates our trust in Him, especially when things are changing.
God often uses change and the challenges within it to teach us, refine us, and prepare us for what's next. James tells us to "count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing" (James 1:2-4). The difficulties of change, when faced with faith and obedience, can be a crucible where our faith is strengthened and our character is shaped to be more like Christ (Romans 5:3-5). Like Haw, we learn and grow by doing, by stepping out in faithful obedience, and by seeing God's faithfulness sustain us through the process.
(Challenge/Application)
Think about a change you are navigating right now. What is one specific step of faithful obedience, aligning with God's Word and acknowledging Him, that you could take this week, even if it feels small or uncertain?
C. The Call to Spiritual Vigilance and Promptness (Like Sniff & Scurry)
Finally, let's look at the mice, Sniff and Scurry. They represent a simple but effective approach: they were always aware, always "sniffing" out the situation, noticing when the cheese was dwindling. And when it was gone, they didn't waste time in deliberation or complaint; they immediately "scurried" off into the maze in search of new cheese. Their instinct led to prompt action.
For us as believers, this isn't just instinct; it's spiritual discernment, vigilance, and a readiness to respond promptly to God's leading and the promptings of His Word.
Are we spiritually alert? Are we paying attention to what God is doing, or perhaps allowing, in our lives and in the world around us? Are we quick to respond in obedience when God calls us to a new path, even if it's challenging? The Apostle Peter urges us, "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8). Spiritual vigilance protects us from falling into traps or being led astray during times of uncertainty and change.
Paul further urges us to "look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is" (Ephesians 5:15-17). This requires diligence in prayer, consistently immersing ourselves in Scripture, allowing God's unchanging Word to illuminate our path and shape our thinking (Psalm 119:105), and being ready to respond promptly to His will. Being "ready in season and out of season" (2 Timothy 4:2) to serve, to share the gospel, to adjust our lives according to His will is a mark of the vigilant believer. The "scurry" part means not delaying obedience when God makes His will known through His Word.
(Challenge/Application)
How vigilant are you in seeking God's will through consistent engagement with His Word and dedicated prayer? What spiritual discipline could you strengthen this week to increase your awareness of God's leading and your readiness to respond promptly in obedience?
IV. Living Anchored: Essential Biblical Principles for Navigating Change
Bringing together the truth of our unchanging God, the lessons from the analogy, and the call to biblical responses, what are the essential principles for navigating change as faithful followers of Christ?
Anchor Your Soul in the Unchanging God: Your ultimate security, peace, and hope are not in the stability of earthly circumstances, which will fail, but in the immutable character, promises, and power of God. Fix your faith firmly on Him alone (Hebrews 13:8, Psalm 62:5-8). He is your rock.
Trust God's Unchanging Word as Your Guide: In the maze of changing circumstances, God's inspired Scripture is your reliable map and compass. Make it central to your discernment, decision-making, and understanding of life (Psalm 119:89, 105; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Respond with Faithful Obedience: Don't let fear paralyze you or comfort make you complacent. Express your trust in God by being a doer of His Word, actively taking the steps of obedience He reveals, even when it's difficult or uncertain (James 1:22, John 14:15).
Actively Seek God's Guidance: Engage in earnest, consistent prayer; immerse yourself in deep Scripture study; and humbly seek wise counsel from mature, godly believers as you navigate unfamiliar territory. Don't try to figure it out alone (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Cultivate a Willingness to Let Go: Gripping tightly to the past – whether it's old routines, comfortable circumstances, or even past successes – can blind you to God's work in the present and future. Learn to release what was, grieving if necessary, but ultimately trusting God with what is to come (Philippians 3:13-14).
Embrace Change as a Catalyst for Spiritual Growth: View challenges and transitions not just as problems or inconveniences, but as divinely permitted opportunities for God to refine your faith, build perseverance, deepen your dependence on Him, and shape you more into the image of Christ (James 1:2-4, Romans 5:3-5).
Find Your Deep Joy in God, Not Just Circumstances: True, lasting joy is independent of your external situation or your "cheese" supply. It flows from your relationship with the constant, unchanging source of all joy – God Himself (Philippians 4:4; Habakkuk 3:17-18).
Lean on and Serve the Body of Christ: God has placed us in a community of believers for a reason. Share your struggles, seek counsel, bear one another's burdens, and encourage one another towards steadfast faith and faithful living during times of change (Hebrews 10:24-25, Galatians 6:2, Romans 12:4-5). You are not meant to navigate the maze alone.
Maintain Spiritual Vigilance and Preparedness: Stay alert to God's leading in your life and in the world around you. Be ready to respond promptly and faithfully, cultivating habits of spiritual discipline now that will build resilience and sustain you through expected and unexpected change (1 Peter 5:8, 2 Timothy 4:2).
Conclusion: Moving Forward in Faith, Anchored in Christ
In conclusion, the simple story of "Who Moved My Cheese?" offers a relatable picture of common human reactions to change. It shows the folly of denial and the wisdom of moving forward. But as believers, we have a higher perspective and a firmer foundation than merely adapting to survive.
Change is inevitable in this life, part of God's ordered world. But our God does not change. His character, His promises, and His Word are our eternal anchor.
When our "cheese" moves – when life takes an unexpected turn – let us not react with the paralyzing fear and resistant inaction of Hem, clinging to what was and missing what God might have next. Let us, by God's grace and strength, choose the path of active faith and faithful obedience, like Haw, and spiritual vigilance and promptness, like Sniff and Scurry.
Our response is anchored in the glorious truth of Hebrews 13:8: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
What change are you facing today? Is it your job, your health, a relationship, your financial situation, or perhaps something within our community or the wider world?
How will you choose to respond? Will you be defined by fear, denial, and regret, like Hem? Or will you, fixing your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), choose steadfast faith and faithful obedience? Will you actively seek His guidance in His unchanging Word and step out where He leads you, trusting that He is with you every step of the way?
May we all choose to trust in the Lord with all our hearts. May we be doers of His Word in every season of change. For He who began a good work in you is faithful and will bring it to completion (Philippians 1:6), guiding you through every change according to His good and perfect will.
