āYet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of Godās work from beginning to end.ā Ecclesiastes 3:11
Iām watching drought roll across our land like crackling leaves caught in the tumble cycle of fall. Itās stirring up all kinds of internal questions like āwhat time of year is it?!?ā Funny thing is, weāre still deep in the clutches of summer, but the next season is making her way here already. Weāre scratching our heads wondering where the rain has gone, everything looks parched, thirsty, and cracked. Autumn is just around the corner and I can feel it already: the winds of change are upon usā¦.. Iām wondering if the earth is as confused as I am. I canāt help but think something about this doesnāt fit. The grass is green and it’s withering. It begs the question: can two seasons happen at once? I don’t think so, but change is making itself known. Leaves have started to fall, dusk is breaking later, and twilight is falling earlier. As much as I want to tell the clock to pause or command time to stand stillā¦. I canāt.
We canāt stop time, anymore than we can bring the blush of spring into summers bloom, or perpetuate the flush of summer into the wither of autumn. But Jesus holds the power to make it all beautiful in his time. The seasons fade into each other but so often we try to transplant themā¦.and like using something old, when you need something new, well, it just doesnāt work. Time marches on, and seasons change. Itās ok to mourn what we might miss, and itās ok to have questions as we move forward.
Even as seasons change, thereās an invitation. When we feel out of balance, or the shifts that change feel like theyāre changing us, the invitation to press in for a greater sense of security can only be found in Jesus. If he can (and does) make everything beautiful in its time, we can be found in him as we trust him to work. The trouble is, we’re too busy looking at the season in front of our face. We only see in part what he is doing but the beckoning to know him more reminds us he is our constant even when the world around us shifts and fades.
Sometimes the shift isnāt as obvious because there isnāt always the dramatics of a drought. But we often see the clues as gentle remindersā¦..the weather changes, the kids get taller, we feel the need for something new and the desire to put things we no longer need away. Taking some time to process in a journal, go for a walk and pray or talk to a trusted friend can help us move on with the new things God is doing in our hearts. Taking time to process helps us to tidy things up. The following questions are crafted to help you take what is good, and learn from what’s been hard so you can move on with the grace that God meets us in every season of life. I hope these help you too:
1.What did I learn? Think of themes, lessons or how the small stories fit into the bigger picture of your life. Be willing to look at the good and bad so that you can see the work of redemption regardless of what you did/didnāt like.
2.What does God want me to take from this? Where is the gold that you have had to mine for, or fruit of your well earned labors? Think through what was valuable and served you well and how you can take wisdom from what you have learned with you, so it can serve you and others in the future.
3. What was challenging or difficult? Sometimes it is as simple as naming something as frustrating or infuriating- and then it starts to loose itās power over you. Jesus was known as a man of sorrows, and is willing to meet us in what is often extremely painful. Donāt be afraid of naming it, and inviting him into it so that you can see first hand his redeeming work.
4. What is God calling me to leave behind? Think about things that no longer serve you, or simply no longer work. It could be as simple as changing your daily routine, how you study the Bible, or letting go of habits that need to die hard. Whatever Jesus is asking you to do, he will empower you to do it. Leaving it behind frees you up to accept more of what he has for you in the new season ahead.
5. How can this past season be used for what God is doing next? Think about how you have grown or changed. Did God do things like increase your patience in your last job in order to help you move forward with your current position? Did the challenges of the past season make you more prayerful as you walk with Jesus? Thank him for building, and equipping you for what he has next for you.
Bonus: What can I be grateful for from this past season? No matter the season, there is always something to thank Jesus for. (Even if it is just to say thank you that this season is over!) Gratitude helps us see things in a new light and invites God’s goodness and presence into the middle of wherever we are.
Ā Finally, I want to encourage you to take some time to pray as you head into a new season. Pray for redemption, and ask God to strip away anything that does not serve his plans and purposes.Ā Ask him to help you to identify what will help you as you head into a new season and thank him for being faithful to you. The eternal work that Jesus is doing in you is not just for you, but for a deeper walk with him, and for his glory as you share him with others.Ā
Much love,
Joy