Sunrise over Awoja Bridge – Soroti, Uganda.
This morning my mind drifted to The Pursuit of Happyness, a Will Smith classic I watched close to 5 years ago. When he’s running, he announces, “This part of my life, I call ‘running'”; when he’s riding the bus, he cleverly intones, “This part of my life is called ‘riding the bus.'” His voice-over laments, “Maybe happiness is something that we can only pursue and never have.” “When I’d get an A on a test, I’d get this good feeling about all the things I could be – and I never became any of them.”
What a poignant reminder of the passing of time, I thought!
Scripture (Daniel 2:20,21) says, “Praise be to the name of God for ever ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons…” In John 2:4, Jesus said “…My time has not yet come.” A few chapters later (17:1), He prays self assuredly, “Father, the time has come..”
THE LOWDOWN: We serve a God of Seasons. God determines when a Season begins. God determines when a Season ends. Every Season has a PURPOSE.
Looking retrospectively at my life, it’s been a seemingly unpredictable cycle of Death, Growth, Pruning and Full Bloom. Jesus said that unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone. But if it dies, it brings forth much fruit (John 12:24). And continuing with the same allegory (Chapter 15:1-5), He goes on to say, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes (cleans) so that it will be even more fruitful…if you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit.”
And so go the changing seasons – A process (or is it procedure?!) of Dying to Self (TO REALLY LIVE!), Brokenness and then some Respite in the sun. And when am “going through”, what does the LORD require of me? TO ABIDE. TO BE STILL AND KNOW THAT HE IS GOD. To recall, like the hymn goes, that in His time He makes all things beautiful. In His time. To remember that even when I cannot see His hand, I can trust His heart.
THE SUM TOTAL: I can’t skip a Season. Every Season is important.
What Season are you in?
October 13, 2011 at 4:26 pm
Amen!
This part of my life I call riding the bus.
Very thought provoking, thanks for sharing.
November 30, 2011 at 9:49 pm
Actually one would have to die to skip a season…and of course remain dead until Christ returns….I can’t skip a season!
When do you write next??? Deep and captivating read
April 17, 2012 at 4:15 pm
Seasons Change
I see a farmer in a field at dawn
His land is crying out for the rain
The year’s been hard
His crops are almost gone
But he is not to blame
The morning sun is climbing
In the sky
I see him smiling through the tears
I wonder how can men
Like this survive
But he’s been here for years
CHORUS:
Seasons change
Barren fields will bloom again
Seasons change
Gentle rains will fall
Seasons change
Better days will come and then
You will find the blessing
Is worth the pain
So just believe
And let the seasons change
I see a farmer in his field at dusk
With joy he bring a harvest in
The pride he feels
Is in the one he trusts
And he offers thanks to Him
CHORUS
Hearts grown cold
May be warmed by the summer sun
Dreams you hold
May be closer than you know
Let the…Seasons change
By Ray Boltz
April 17, 2012 at 5:16 pm
This part of life is called ‘Dying’
I dread that time when some parts of me have to die so that I can produce more fruit. That part of life is major surgery, discipline and sometimes a thorn. When conceit and pride have to die…sometimes a thorn is necessary. Romans 12
You know you can deliver the message home so eloquently but you are hushed while another whose life agrees completely with the message delivers it. While for you…Well you are still being transformed.
The Lord help me die so that I may bear bountiful fruit. All types of fruit
And again…this part of life is called dying…
Thanks Jacob for sharing these great insights