Happy October! Fall is here, and I absolutely love it. Cooler
nights, the leaves are changing colors, apple picking time, pumpkin farms open,
and last but certainly not least…college football!
With a large list of everything I love about the fall, there
is one part of this season that I’m not so sure about. Each year I have a
different reaction to this moment. Some years I’ve been excited and my happy
attitude continues to grow. Other years I’ve gotten frustrated and wanted to
crawl back into bed.
The moment of truth I’m talking about, this possible swing
of emotion headed my way, is getting out my warmer clothes to see if they still
fit. This has been going on ever since I was a young girl when my dresser only
had enough room for one set of clothes…summer shorts and t-shirts or winter
pants and long sleeves. As this annual tradition begins, I start with my sweatshirts.
They are pretty much a guarantee to feel comfi and cozy. I move on to my sweaters,
and if I’m really trying to stall I’ll look at my scarves and boots. But
inevitably I get out a pair of jeans, and pray as I put them on that they still
pull up over these hips of mine.
What about you? How do you feel about this new season of
fall that has just begun? Do you love the cooler weather and fun outdoor activities
that come with it? Or is there a part of this season that you’re not so sure
about?
Let me ask an even broader question, how are you doing in
this season of life you’re in? Are you in a good place and excited about where
God is leading? Are you feeling highs and lows within your heart? Do you feel,
as Elaine shared in the Sept 15 post, that God is giving you more than your strength
alone can get through?
How many examples we can all give of the ups and downs of
life. While we can’t predict the future and know when we’ll be happy and when
we’ll be sad, we can predict that in this life both emotions will come. In Ecclesiastes
3:1 King Solomon wrote “There is a time for everything, and a season for every
activity under heaven.” Then he goes on to share many highs and lows of life…time
to weep and time to laugh, time to mourn and time to dance, time to search and
time to give up, and the list goes on. I
so appreciate how he continues in verse 10 & 11, “I have seen the burden
God has laid on men. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also
set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done
from the beginning to end.”
Friends, no matter what season of life we’re in we can all have
peace knowing that God has made everything beautiful in its time. Yes, we will have many
burdens to carry as we walk through this life, yet our home is eternity...and we
can HOPE in the truth that we will one day be with our Lord and Savior in
heaven above.
So yes, I might have to go out and buy a new pair of jeans
this year, but that’s ok. While each season is different, one thing I know - my God
will be with me during this day and every day going forward. My HOPE is in HIM
and that’s truly all I need.
My verse this time is Ecclesiastes 3:10,11:
“I have seen the burden God has laid on men. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from the beginning to end.”
Jesus said to him (Thomas), “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.” John 14:6-7
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that Jesus loved us so much that He left the splendor of Heaven and was obedient to God the Father. He could have refused and let us all die in our sin; but He loved us so much that He freely laid down His life (a sacrifice) for mankind so that we can be saved.... It's so simple that even a young child can understand it. Repent, believe and put our trust in Jesus.... THANK YOU JESUS!
See above comment by Sylvia - October 2, 2013 at 10:43 PM
ReplyDelete"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."
ReplyDeleteEphesians: 6:10-13.
The fact is that there is wickedness and evil in this world.... Satan is actively doing all he can to distract us and to prevent us (young and old) from spending precious time in God's Holy Word, and applying His Word to our hearts and minds. Without God's armor to shield our hearts and minds each day, we would be like sheep being led to the slaughter. We need to stay in God's word daily and to pray without ceasing. Not from a spirit of fear; but because of His blessed assurance that He is with us always as we seek to know His will for our lives; and to lead others into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Love and God bless,
Sylvia Allen