Seasons

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” – Eccl. 3:1

Spring has sprung!  YAY!!   For the first time this Spring I was able to open the windows a little and let in that cool, crisp air.  What a treat to feel the breeze, smell the freshness of the outdoors and hear the birds singing their little, happy songs.  It actually ALMOST made my chore of cleaning the floors bearable.  

I think our spiritual lives can be compared to the different seasons.  We go through periods of time when it feels like Winter.  God feels distant and cold, even though we know He is ever-present. The months seem long, the windows are shut tight in our hearts and the air is getting stale, right along with our Christian walk.  It’s just cold, barren and desolate.  We long for something more.  Most of you will be able to tell that Winter is my least favorite season, whether we are talking earthly or spiritually!

Then before we know it Spring rolls around and we enjoy a period of time, with God, where everything is fresh and new.  Things are moving forward, changes are happening and we are growing in our spiritual journey.  There are new ideas and new joys springing up all around us.  We are awed by the happenings, as God works not only in our lives, but the lives of others.  I have to say if I look at my spiritual life in “seasons” that this would be one of my favorites!

Next is Summer.  This season reminds me of those times when God is close, things are rolling along and we feel like all is right in our own little world and in our spiritual lives. We have seen personal growth and are basking in the goodness of God’s love and faithfulness.  We are enjoying the things of the Lord and the joys this life has to offer.  I am very much a fan of  summer also, because it is so comfortable and feels good to just bask in the peace it brings.

Fall makes me think of those times when we are struggling a little in our walk with God.  We know what we should be doing, but find that the change is not so easy. God is wanting to do a work within us and although we are not opposed to that, we are just a little hesitant maybe.  When I think of fall I think of the beautiful changing leaves and compare it to our lives.  God is encouraging us to change, to become more like Him, to make us beautiful.  Just like the green leaves, which are already lovely, change into vibrant, bright colors - God wants to change us.  He wants to take these vessels He has created and make them vibrant, bright, alive and even more beautiful!  I like change, but will admit that there have been times when the color changing process in my life has not been easy.  Thankfully, He is with us every step of the way. 

Can you relate to any of these seasons?  Although, we are all on this life journey together we are all in different seasons of life in so many different ways.  We are at different ages, different walks with the Lord, different jobs, going through different trials, rejoicing in different victories, etc… But, one thing remains the same and that is that we are all on this Life Journey together.   Most of us are striving to be the best we can be.  Thankfully, God has given us each other to go through the different seasons with together.  It is divinely arranged actually, in that we do not all go through the same thing at the same time.   Nobody knows exactly what we go through because they are not us.  BUT, similar situations that people do go through can help us tremendously.   Just knowing that someone else survived the same kind of ordeal, or that they weathered a similar storm and can testify that God never left them, or that healing came, or that a miracle happened, or that…. You understand what I am saying.  We need each other.  God doesn’t just call us to follow Him.  He calls us to help each other.  In Galatians 6:2 it says:

·“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

What I have learned about this in the past several years is that it is OK to be in different places, different seasons.  In our spiritual lives we need to go through these different seasons to learn and to grow so that we can become more like Christ.  When we are in a summer or spring season we can help someone who is in a winter or fall season.   Or, when we are in a winter season someone in a summer season can help us through.  Does that make sense?  The older I get the more I realize just how important it is for me to surround myself with people who will guide me through the difficult seasons, rejoice with me in the happy seasons and propel me forward during the changing seasons.  We all need a community of people who will lift us up, pray for us, challenge us and understand that we are not perfect and that we make mistakes.  Likewise, we need to be part of a community that lifts others up, prays for others, challenges others and helps others up when they fall.  God tells us in John 15:12 to “Love each other as I have loved you.”

This Christian life is about more than being a Church Member, it’s more than just being “saved”, it’s more than doing good works, it’s more than being on a committee… Being a Christian is about being a Disciple of Jesus Christ.  Disciple in the free dictionary is defined as this: “One who embraces and assists in spreading the teachings of another.”   I believe we are all called to be disciples.   We need to help each other in all seasons and to draw others to Jesus through how we live our lives.  I believe being part of a community of people who love Jesus and who are striving to be disciples is one of the most important things we can do as we journey through life together.  If you are not part of a community of believers who embrace and assist in the spreading of the Gospel, I encourage you to find one.  Are you a disciple of Christ?  Are you lifting others up when they fall?  Are you supportive in all seasons to those who need it?  Are you in a difficult season and need the fellowship of a community?  

Jeremiah 29:13:   “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

So, until I write again I encourage you to: Be Strong, Stand Firm and Believe in Miracles! 

Our God is a God of Miracles! 

Count Your Blessings…