Sunday, February 4, 2018

THE SEASON CHANGER

Just like most of the country, this has been a very cold winter here in Tennessee.  In the twenty years I have lived here, I don't remember it being this cold for THIS LONG.  This year, winter is longer. It is colder. It is harder. 

When I was younger I don't think I fully grasped three truths about seasons.

1. I have no control to keep or change the season I am in.
2. Seasons change. 
3. I have to change with the seasons.   

Here's some stuff I have learned. 

"Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons;"                (Daniel 2:20-21)

When seasons change, I can tend to panic because I don't like change. I fear the unknown.  I finally came to understand that just because I am not in control doesn't mean things are OUT OF control. Just because I don't like change, doesn't mean change isn't necessary.  

And ultimately in every season I must always remember that The Season Changer is God Himself.  And my choice - which He allows me to have - is whether I will trust His love in every season or not. 

I cannot explain the reason that we have seasons of suffering, or seasons of grief, or seasons of pain.  Long ago, I resigned as God's Public Relations Representative. I used to feel it was my responsibility to make God look good to people who thought God looked bad. Who did I think I was?  Only the Holy Spirit can explain the ways of God to someone who is confused. And only to someone who wants His answer. Only His Word, revealed by the Holy Spirit, gives us any true answers.  

I cannot explain the ways of The Season Changer. I can only explain that when I have asked Him, He has been there in the difficult cold winters of life. I can only proclaim that although there is rain, He brings life. Sometimes I can see the growth that results from a difficult time. And sometimes, I cannot.   Although there is pain, He brings healing.  When I have sinned, He has forgiven. What I have destroyed through pride and selfishness.. He has repaired.  When I felt lost, He continued to lead. When I let go of Him, He held on to me.

Why? I don't know why.. except that He is faithful. He is love.
He is in control. 
Even when life seems out of control.  

The only way to make it through each season of life is to put your life in to hands of The Season Changer.  And to ask for the otherworldly faith to endure and believe while you are enduring.

You can choose to believe me.
Or not.
You can choose to call out to Him.
Or not.

In a few weeks, for sure, I will be picking daffodils and putting them in vases all around my house.  This I know before I even see it. 

""Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord"
Psalm 40:4