Seasons

The weather here finally seems to be shifting to fall. The colors have changed, but the temperatures have dropped and the "atmosphere" just seems like autumn now, not summer. The new season seems refreshing, but some area saddening by the going of summer, some excited by the coming of winter. Each season has hope with it, or concerns, depending on how we remember it, and our attitudes. I think it is amazing that this world we live in can change so much within a year. Seasons which vary from snowstorms to April flowers, lazy summer heat and cool fall mornings. Each season is unique, but they are all the climate.

Similarly, I think we need to remember that there are seasons of our lives, and the lives of others. We are not always in high spirits, or a cold, analytical mood, but we too can change. I think we often forget this. We get stuck in a rut, getting down on ourselves and knowing that tomorrow will be pretty much just another day. But actually, they aren't just days. As we grow older, we grow. We learn new truths, new heartbreaks, new lessons. And some things are harder for us to conquer than others. Sometimes it may seem God is distant, as He seemed to Job, other times like he's right beside us, blessing us, as David and Paul describe at times.

What's this mean? I think that we just need to keep hope in our future--knowing God can change us, too! Also, that we just need patience to let Him work. Because just as we can no more make winter start in July, so are the seasons of life. (this is hard to accept sometimes, I'll admit, as I just wish some things were over, and just fix them, now!) But God is there, working, even if we are having a hard time understanding. God loves us and wants to give us life abundantly! What a promise of future seasons!

The shadow of light

How often to we get ourselves worked up over some issue--just trying to figure something out or determine what we need to do. I know I do, and recently it seems to be around what career path I want to take. But there is a promise of God for us, in Psalm 91. I read this in the book Praying the Names of God, but just the idea of resting in the Shadow of God. This idea, particularly when knowing it was in the desert environment of the middle east, really makes sense. I know when I was in Iraq, the temperatures soared above 140, and you desperately needed out of the sun. Even in the shadow, you would sweat and be on edge, but you could rest because the sun was not scorching you. So I think we somehow have to keep giving up ourselves, our worries and concerns, to God. This is an ongoing process, as we realize more and more what we do hold on to.

Because God is also the light--not the sun's scorching heat, but the light that allows us to see. He guides our paths, and although we plan our lives, or think we do, he secures each step along the way. He is a God almighty, the El Shadday, and loves each of us personally. We just have to trust in Him...and turn to Him daily...reaffirming our recognition of his divinity, power and control over our lives.