He changeth not...

Unchanging faithfulness

October carries a curious contradiction in its name. It comes from the Latin word octo, meaning “eight,” because in the old Roman calendar it was once the eighth month. Yet today October is the tenth month, its name left behind as a small reminder that human systems change, while traces of the past remain.

For Christians, though, this can become more than a historical curiosity. It reminds us that our understanding is often partial. We name things, arrange things, and try to make sense of the passing seasons, yet time itself belongs to God. What seems misplaced to us may still have a purpose within a larger story we do not fully see.

October’s name also teaches humility. It bears witness to an older order, just as our lives often carry signs of where we have come from. In Christ, the past is not simply erased; it is redeemed. God can take what seems out of place, outdated, or imperfect and weave it into His purposes with grace.

So when we notice that October is no longer the eighth month, we may remember that our calendars, like our lives, are shaped by change. Yet, behind every season stands the unchanging faithfulness of God, who holds all times in His hands and calls us to trust Him in every month of the year.

Revd Susan