While looking at the bright colors of Fall and almost a showing off of color as they are getting ready to go dormant for a bit, I also asked the Lord to show me this week's post. I kept processing the word "seasons". We say there will be seasons in life, I am in the winter season of my life, this will last for a season. Even Solomon wrote about a season for this and season for that.
I thought about my spiritual journey or my walk with Christ. I began to reflect on my journey so far, and realized that at times I am in the spring or sometimes in the winter. I am thankful He mixes things up a bit and it never stays the same. I will try to explain:
Spring would be the times when you have new beginnings, new challenges, new assignments. Or maybe you start a new bible study and you are learning so much all at one time. We are excited and pay more attention for the next step or things seem to jump off the page more when we study. We can't wait to dive in and help at church or in our neighborhood. You have a renewed strength and you are ready for, dare I say, almost anything.
Summer would be the times when you are in a pattern. Things are running smoothly. You know your responsibilities and what you are to be doing. You are still excited and you are really enjoying what your doing. You share with others and you do your best. It is a time where you don't feel confused about your purpose in life and you most likely feel close and comfortable to God. You see His hand and trust His leading without having to pray about it and make sure you are hearing from Him and not just wondering if it is your own personal choice. You are comfy.
Fall would be those times when you are in a good place with serving Him. You know what direction you are to take. The activities in your life and priorities match what you feel called to do. Life is moving along well for the most part, you don't question or look deeper into whether you should pursue other things or try something new. More like Summer, but then every now and then you hear a sermon, read an article, run into someone and you feel a change coming and you can't put your finger on it. It isn't that you aren't happy, it is just that things are starting to feel a bit routine and you could some days use a break. You are starting to feel burned out so to speak.
Winter would be the times when you are feeling a break is needed. A time to curl up and reflect on where you are going and what you are doing. A time to spend with God and making sure that you are where He wants you and not where you want to be. Each season should be spent with God, but a more searching and reflecting time. I think many people just keep doing what they know to do and don't ever consider change, because of what change can bring. God has many plans for us. He gives us spiritual gifts as well. Some of us have many, while others a few or only one. That one is huge. He may cause us to move around to different places or responsibilities because our gift(s) are needed. How sad if we stay in the same place and don't use our gifts other places as He leads. He will find someone else who is willing to get the "job" done, but we are the ones who miss out on the experience and the blessing.
Think about the seasons.
Spring is nature's time of bursting forth with color and new life.
Summer is a time when all creation is in its prime.
Fall is a time when crops are harvested for the last and things start to slow, yet we are busy. The mornings and evenings are cool and we have a slower start to our day and end a bit earlier than Summer, but it is very similar to Summer.
Then we have Winter. Those are the months we tend to stay inside and curl up with a pile of books we have been waiting to read or dvd's to watch. We also get caught up on inside projects. We tend to be more tired and less productive. Also, the Earth experiences different seasons at different times. When we in the US have summer, half way around the world they are having winter!
I want to close with this thought. We will all experience different seasons at different times. Some seasons last for years and some for months. My season will not be your season. If we all had the "winter" at the same time, no work would get done. If we all had Summer, we would be so busy we wouldn't take time for one another. I am thankful for the seasons in my life. I find they are repeated. I am currently in winter. God has given me this year to have a break so to speak. I am still in bible study, I am still writing my blog, but my other responsibilities are on hold right now. Not because I am tired, not doing them well, or that I need a change. I needed a break and I wanted to be more available to my family as our daughters finish high school.Being a mom and being available is still a way of serving Him. But I have said no to other choices so I can focus more on this phase of my life. I want to be clear: No matter what season you are in, you are still serving, praising, and worshiping. That is what we were created for and to do, but there are times we are doing those things in addition to other things. God has opened and closed doors to make this happen. I am happy to be in the winter season, however, I look forward to the day, when He starts opening the windows to Spring, I feel the breeze change and I start the next season.
What Season are you in?
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