Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Seasons of Life...Finding joy in the Barren
"There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven." (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
"Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever, For wisdom and power belong to Him. It is He who changes the times and the epochs." (Daniel 2:20-21)
I will be honest winter has not always been my favorite season. For a Canadian, this probably is not cooth to say. But, in comparison to the other seasons, winter can appear dreary. After all, in the spring there are birds chirping, the smell of fresh cut grass and a symbol of beginnings (yes you can probably hear in the background "These are a few of my favorite things") In the summer, the days are longer and I feel carefree. The fall, is probably my favorite season with it's bright breathtaking colors. The winter has in the past symbolized death.
I have changed my outlook on this season, that I once viewed as the "death of summer" and now have come to view even Winter in a positive light. The seasons are all beautiful and unique in their own way. Even the barrenness of winter can be seen as beautiful. I parallel this to the seasons of our life. Take a tree for example. As a tree goes through seasons it is obvious that it loses it's beauty. It does appear that in the winter it is dead and only but a skeletal reminder of what it once was. To human eyes, it looks barren. This is not so. In the spring it brings forth new life and beauty erases the memory of winter. This is how we are. We constantly go through new seasons. God orchestrates behind the scenes and if we are in Christ, we will yield fruit in due season.
God changes the seasons. He brings the fall, the winter, the summer and the spring all at the right time. He does this with our seasons of life as well.
So be patient. If you are going through a season of your life, that seems barren, or you feel as though you are trekking through the desert, it is not vain. Trust in the Lord and do not lose heart, seek the Lord and do not despair. You will see Him in the land of the living) (Psalm 27:13-14
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Resting in the Lord and Waiting on the Lord
"To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul. O my God, in You I trust, Do no let me be ashamed; Do not let my enemies exult over me, Indeed none of those who wait for You will be ashamed. Those who deal treacherously without cause will be ashamed. Make me know your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths." (Psalm 25:1-4)
Wow! 2008 is here. It seems like the older and older I get, the faster time goes by. I always have a habit of asking myself, I wonder if this year will hold, or where I will be this time next year. So much can change in a year. Last year was filled with many changes. Perhaps, one of the biggest changes, that I am still processing, is the fact that I am no longer a student. Yes, that is right folks, after spending the majority of life in school, I am now done with that season of my life.
I am now in the process of seeking where the Lord is leading me. I honestly am having a difficult time trusting and surrendering this to the Lord, as I do not know where He is leading. I have applied for various positions and am still waiting to hear back from schools. Are you in the same situation? I cry out to the Lord day to day, because I know that I must trust Him. I do not always do a good job of this As I wait and seek Him, I am reminded of things. Maybe this can serve to be of an encouragement to some of you out there, as you may be in a similar stage/season of waiting.
I am reminded
1. I must seek the Lord's face daily and to be obedient in the "small" things. The present is not to be disregarded and is not unimportant. It is rather a crucial time and a test to whether we will be faithful in the BIG things.
2. The Lord has a plan for His children, as we are reminded in His Word: "For I know the plans, I have for you declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not calamity, plans for a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11
3. I must trust the Lord, as He is all loving, all powerful and all knowing. Because God is all loving, He wants what is best for me His child. I am His child and He will provide. As loving earthly fathers, our heavenly Father, the perfect Father will give what is best for us. Now, it is important to remember that what we think may be best, may not be what God knows is best for us, as our perspective is limited. God gives us what will make us more into the image of Christ!
4. Because God is all knowing, His timing is perfect. This is something that I am resting in. I am resting on the Lord's timing for a place of ministry and a spouse (if this is what He has for me). There are times, that we try to go ahead of the Lord's timing. This however, is sheer folly as I have learned in the past when I have tried to hurry things up. If you are waiting for something, the Lord may be calling you to rest and wait. In waiting remember that there may be times when you cannot do anything. I think in particular of Exodus 14 and 15, where the Israelites were being delivered from the land of bondage. As they saw the Egyptians approaching them, they grew fearful. You would think they needed to fight, but NO Moses told them: "Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent." This is incredible indeed! There are times when we are told to wait on the Lord and to watch how HE delivers us.
I encourage you, to seek the Lord. Rest in the Lord. In Christ, there is rest. I say this for myself as well, that the battle belongs to the Lord! We are to seek Him and rest in the fact that He is in control.
Wow! 2008 is here. It seems like the older and older I get, the faster time goes by. I always have a habit of asking myself, I wonder if this year will hold, or where I will be this time next year. So much can change in a year. Last year was filled with many changes. Perhaps, one of the biggest changes, that I am still processing, is the fact that I am no longer a student. Yes, that is right folks, after spending the majority of life in school, I am now done with that season of my life.
I am now in the process of seeking where the Lord is leading me. I honestly am having a difficult time trusting and surrendering this to the Lord, as I do not know where He is leading. I have applied for various positions and am still waiting to hear back from schools. Are you in the same situation? I cry out to the Lord day to day, because I know that I must trust Him. I do not always do a good job of this As I wait and seek Him, I am reminded of things. Maybe this can serve to be of an encouragement to some of you out there, as you may be in a similar stage/season of waiting.
I am reminded
1. I must seek the Lord's face daily and to be obedient in the "small" things. The present is not to be disregarded and is not unimportant. It is rather a crucial time and a test to whether we will be faithful in the BIG things.
2. The Lord has a plan for His children, as we are reminded in His Word: "For I know the plans, I have for you declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not calamity, plans for a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11
3. I must trust the Lord, as He is all loving, all powerful and all knowing. Because God is all loving, He wants what is best for me His child. I am His child and He will provide. As loving earthly fathers, our heavenly Father, the perfect Father will give what is best for us. Now, it is important to remember that what we think may be best, may not be what God knows is best for us, as our perspective is limited. God gives us what will make us more into the image of Christ!
4. Because God is all knowing, His timing is perfect. This is something that I am resting in. I am resting on the Lord's timing for a place of ministry and a spouse (if this is what He has for me). There are times, that we try to go ahead of the Lord's timing. This however, is sheer folly as I have learned in the past when I have tried to hurry things up. If you are waiting for something, the Lord may be calling you to rest and wait. In waiting remember that there may be times when you cannot do anything. I think in particular of Exodus 14 and 15, where the Israelites were being delivered from the land of bondage. As they saw the Egyptians approaching them, they grew fearful. You would think they needed to fight, but NO Moses told them: "Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent." This is incredible indeed! There are times when we are told to wait on the Lord and to watch how HE delivers us.
Isaiah 30:15, also illustrates how Judah was to wait on the LORD for deliverance: "In repentance and rest you will be save, In quietness and trust is your strength." But you are not willing, And you said, "Nor for we will flee on horses," Therefore you shall flee! And we will ride on swift horses!"
I encourage you, to seek the Lord. Rest in the Lord. In Christ, there is rest. I say this for myself as well, that the battle belongs to the Lord! We are to seek Him and rest in the fact that He is in control.
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