The Landslide of Change—Finding Stability in Christ
Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide” has been a soundtrack for life’s pivotal moments for decades. It’s raw, it’s vulnerable, and it speaks to something deep within us—the fear of change, the weight of self-reflection, and the longing for something stable in a world that feels anything but.
When I hear “Landslide,” it resonates with my own journey. I’ve been there—afraid of change, building my life around things that couldn’t sustain me when the inevitable landslides of life came. For years, I relied on my own efforts, my accomplishments, my relationships—only to find myself crumbling when those things shifted under me.
But here’s the beautiful truth I’ve learned: when life feels like a landslide, Christ is the Rock that holds us steady.
The Struggle We All Know
The song begins with imagery that captures the struggle perfectly:
“I took my love, I took it down / Climbed a mountain and I turned around.”
“And I saw my reflection in the snow-covered hills / 'Til the landslide brought me down.”
How often do we climb our metaphorical mountains, striving for something we think will fulfill us, only to find ourselves brought down by life’s landslides? A career that doesn’t satisfy, a relationship that falters, or an unexpected crisis that shakes us to the core.
We’re left standing in the rubble, wondering, What now?
Afraid of Change
One line always hits me hard:
“Well, I've been afraid of changin' / 'Cause I've built my life around you.”
This fear of change is something we all face. Change threatens the foundations we’ve built our lives upon. If those foundations are anything other than Christ, they will fail us. I’ve felt that fear—holding on to things I thought I couldn’t live without, only to realize they were never meant to sustain me.
Jesus speaks directly to this in Matthew 7:24-27:
“Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.”
The only foundation that can withstand life’s storms is Christ. He doesn’t just provide stability; He is stability.
The Restlessness of Reflection
The song also speaks to the deep restlessness we feel when we reflect on life:
“Oh, mirror in the sky, what is love? / Can the child within my heart rise above?”
“Time makes you bolder, even children get older / And I'm gettin' older, too.”
Aging, change, and the passing of time force us to confront questions we can’t answer on our own. What is love? What’s the meaning of it all? Can I handle the seasons of my life?
Without Christ, these questions leave us in despair. But with Him, they lead us to hope. Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 4:16 remind us:
“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.”
Even as time marches on, Christ renews us. His grace meets us in our reflections, not to condemn us, but to remind us that our worth and identity are found in Him.
My Personal Reflection
When I hear “Landslide,” I think of all the times I’ve built my life on things that couldn’t hold me. Relationships, accomplishments, my own efforts to control my life—none of it could withstand the landslides.
But when I finally placed my trust in Christ, everything changed. The landslides didn’t stop, but they no longer had the power to bring me down. Jesus became my unshakable foundation. His presence, His sufficiency, His grace—they are enough.
I no longer fear the seasons of change because I know my life is anchored in Him. And in that, I find rest.
Living Through the Landslides
The question the song asks—“Can I handle the seasons of my life?”—finds its answer in Christ. Here’s how we can navigate life’s landslides with Him:
Build on the Rock: Anchor your life in Christ, not in temporary things (Matthew 7:24-27).
Embrace Change: Trust that God is sovereign over every season and is working all things for good (Romans 8:28).
Abide in Christ: Lean into His presence, drawing strength and stability from His unchanging character (John 15:4-5).
Rest in His Grace: When life feels overwhelming, remember that His grace is sufficient for every need (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Conclusion: The Rock That Stands
Life will always bring landslides. Change is inevitable. But in Christ, we find the Rock that stands firm no matter what comes. He is the One who holds us steady, the One who renews us day by day, the One who carries us through every season.
So when the landslides come, don’t cling to what’s crumbling. Turn to the One who is unshakable. Rest in Him.
Reflection Question:
What are you holding on to that can’t withstand the landslides of life? How can you anchor yourself more fully in Christ?