Seasons Of Life

As I look out my window here in East Texas, it's obvious the long hot summer is gone and cool weather is on it's way. My backyard is slowly filling with a multitude of colored leaves, while my front porch sports scarecrows, pumpkins and yellow mums. Fall is here.

There are seasons in life as well. Throughout life, we are constantly growing, changing and moving from one phase of life to another.

Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 (NIV)

A Time for Everything

 1 There is a time for everything, 
       and a season for every activity under heaven:

 2 a time to be born and a time to die, 
       a time to plant and a time to uproot,

 3 a time to kill and a time to heal, 
       a time to tear down and a time to build,

 4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, 
       a time to mourn and a time to dance,

 5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, 
       a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

 6 a time to search and a time to give up, 
       a time to keep and a time to throw away,

 7 a time to tear and a time to mend, 
       a time to be silent and a time to speak,

 8 a time to love and a time to hate, 
       a time for war and a time for peace.

God walks with us through each and everyone of theses seasons in life.

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)

He loves us and He always provides for us whatever we might need for today and what lies ahead. Sometimes, we forget that and try to take things with us that should be left behind.  Remember the children of Israel in the desert with the manna?  (Exodus 16) God told them to take only what they need today. Live only in today. Let God worry about tomorrow's problems. They may not be problems tomorrow. Sometimes we cause more stress and problems by hanging on to things that ought to be let go. Let go of those security blankets and cling to God.

I'm finding I'm there. As I near my 40s. I know I am ending one season of my life and beginning another. I'm torn between clinging to the things of my past and stepping out toward my future and what God might have planned for me next. I can't let go of that blanket yet. I'm trying, but I need help letting go. We all face these times. Change is never easy, neither is learning to trust. However, God is patient with us and He knows His children are growing. He's there with His hand out waiting for me to take it and walk forward with Him step by step. I will get there. It's all going to be OK.

How do we learn to let go and let God? 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6 (NIV)

No one else may understand what you are going through personally, but God does. Take it all to Him. Let Him encourage you with the Holy Spirit as you lift your heart to Him in prayer. Let His words speak to you by taking time daily to read the scriptures.As Beth Moore says in her book, Breaking Free:Discovering The Victory Of Total Surrender, she says, ” Without a doubt, the more you know God, the more you want to know God. The more time you spend with Him, the more you will yearn for Him.” The more time I spend with Him, the more I will learn to trust Him and cling to Him.

It's not easy letting go of one season of life and moving into another. There's so much we do not know, but take heart that God knows all and sees all.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Take a look outside today. This new season is kind of pretty. I bet God will make something Beautiful out of my new season of life too. Let go and let God create in you something Beautiful, Beautiful.

 

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