Seasons
Wednesday, September 2
Seasons
While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease. Genesis 8:22
As we enter into the month of September here in the North East, we know that soon the days will become shorter (less daylight) and the temperatures cooler. This change marks the end of summer and the beginning of fall. There are some seasons of our lives which feel as if they are never ending. Circumstances seem to resemble that dry, lifeless and dreary vegetation. One day flows into another, and even our hope that the next season will carry the much needed change, we long for, runs thin. This season of COVID-19 as we head into a new month may feel that way. However, today I write to remind you of the changes in the earth’s seasons. We have seasons of life and each season has a beginning and an end. How we go through each season (what we say and our response to the season) is as important as getting to the end of it. In fact, how we go through it will determine where we are at the end of it. Are we closer to Jesus, stronger in our faith, more compassionate towards others, and able to minister with a new authority to those going through suffering? Or have we allowed our pain to harden us, so we have less sympathy and kindness, and are weaker in our faith? Because the very act of hardening ourselves creates a block to receiving the love and comfort God wants to give us, and to finding our courage in Him.
In Genesis 8:22 God put a definite law in place: ‘While the earth remains, seed time and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease’. While the earth remains, seasons will bring the growth and vegetation and changes in temperature which characterize each season – it is a given. However the Word of God tells us this truth just as well-seasons WILL change. This should encourage us that our own personal season won’t last forever. As seasons will change in the natural, so seasons will change in our own lives.
Be encouraged today and don’t lose hope. You’re not invisible to God in the season you find yourself in. God’s at work to bring about the very thing which will cause that situation to suddenly and unexpectedly bring forth colorful blossoms! He’s an on-time God. Hold on a little longer. Keep looking out for the ‘God moments’ in your situation which signal the promise of the new things ahead.
Prayer for today: Loving Father, it is easy to become discouraged when the difficult seasons come and I find myself thinking they’ll never change, but thank You for Your Word which is faithful and true, and unchanged. Help me not to grow weary and lose confidence in Your promises. I choose to lean on You and to trust Your timing, in Jesus’ name. Amen.