During a year when we have been blessed with the birth of a grandson, and saddened at the loss of a relative and lifelong friend, I find myself contemplating retirement. All of the above remind me of the passing seasons of life.

Several years ago, I was living in a very rural area in a mobile home. From my front garden, I was blessed with what was without question, one of the best views in West Sussex. It was an awesome place to live. Directly in front of us were the rolling hills of the South Downs and the iconic landmark of Chanctonbury Ring. Chanctonbury is an ancient hillfort which stands on top of the Downs, a mile or two to the east of the village of Washington. It really was a beautiful view. As the light and seasons changed, so the view changed in awesome and infinite ways. There we go – seasons again.

Over the years we were invited to various neighbours, where we would sit in their back garden for barbecues, coffee or drinks. I discovered that by simply moving a few hundred yards to the east or west of our home,  Chanctonbury didn’t look the same. It was recognisably the same place. The changes were subtle, but they made a huge difference.

My relationship with God is important to me. It always has been. It’s part of who I am. Yet as I reflect on the seasons of life I recognise that the world has been constantly changing around me in so many ways. Inevitably, I as I have reacted to the changing world, I have changed too. As I have changed, my relationship with God has changed in subtle but significant ways.

Chanctonbury looks different when I move to someone else’s garden, but it’s still Chanctonbury. It hasn’t changed.

My relationship with God might look or feel different as I move through the seasons of life, but He is still God. He doesn’t change.

‘I, the LORD, do not change.’ Malachi 3:6

‘Jesus Christ is the same, Yesterday, today and forever’ Hebrews 13:8