Seasons
Seasons
By Jenny Godwin
There’s something refreshing about the turning of the seasons. Personally, fall is my favorite because of the relief from a hot summer (I do not sweat pretty), and the crispness in the air just rejuvenates me from within. Let’s not forget bonfires, football games, Halloween (because I’m still four on the inside), sweaters, and boots. Oh and HOODIES! Sorry, I got side tracked a bit.
New seasons remind me of new mercies.
Most people who have grown up in or around church will probably recognize Ecclesiastes 3: 1-3, “there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build.”
I’m so thankful we do not have to wait for a new season to begin for God to rain down mercy, forgiveness, grace, love, peace, and even accountability. My dear friend, Bea, once tweeted something along the lines of, “God’s mercies are new every morning like coffee in the coffee pot.” I’m fairly certain that’s not an exact quote, but I do not have the attention span or patience to scroll that far back on Twitter.
How do you normally look at change? Is it something you fear? How about something you yearn for or look forward to?
You may have read one of my last pieces that was on singleness, so that’s one of the never-ending seasons I have endured (Link here https://www.heavenbentwomen.com/post-grad/2017/7/6/am-i-cursed-or-something-other-thoughts-from-my-single-self ). What I needed to do was come to a place where I would get over myself and what I wanted, and earnestly start seeking what God wants. How He wants to use each day.
A few years back, I really thought I was going to be moving overseas for missions but that door was abruptly shut. When I say it hurt, I mean that in a way that smacked my nose and left me in a puddle for months because I felt unworthy, unwanted, and like a failure on many levels because all arrows were pointing in that direction. Even the missions coach walking me through the process with that organization was shocked.
But God (I LOVE THOSE TWO WORDS) had something better suited for me in mind.
The mission field I get to serve in is Human Resources. Praying with employees is something that happens multiple times a week. It is trying, and there are days I do not think I have the patience for it, but thankfully God’s mercies are new each day and the hard seasons there bring refreshing ones eventually.
I say that while in our most chaotic season of the year. That also means it is 8:00 PM on Sunday, October 1st, and I am about to go to bed because this week will involve less sleep and lots of caffeine. If you see me shaking, it’s okay. I’m fine. It’s fine. Just bring me more coffee and I like flowers and hugs, too. This season will pass (see what I did there?).
No matter what season you’re in, just be prepared and know that you are not forgotten. God is preparing you and might even be protecting you.
In every season, we should strive to be in community with people who push us towards Jesus. People who will call us out when we’re not walking according to the Word. People who love us through each part of it all.
2 Timothy 4:1-3 says, “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.” So when the seasons change, our faith should stand firm in what and Who we know to be true.
I don’t know about you, but I sure am grateful for unexpected, yet needed, confirmation about where God is taking me. Just because I do not know where or how He is going to make something work, doesn't mean He won't.
Why do we panic or lose our minds in seasons of waiting? God never fails us. If He makes a promise, He fulfills. Every single time. He doesn’t work off a plan B. In case you’ve forgotten (I have to be reminded at times), He’s God and we are not.
These seasons are a time of refining, refreshing, pruning, growing, and beautifying.
Think about how long it takes you to get ready for a glam night out. There’s time to shower, do your hair, makeup, get dressed, and then possibly any final touchups. Maybe I’m just high maintenance, but I don’t think I am the only one like that. After the night of (hopefully) fun, there’s the taking down of the hair, removal of the makeup, brushing of teeth, and getting changed into something super cozy for sleep. I’m aware those steps do not take an entire season, but it’s a visual example so humor me.
In closing, I would like for you to know that you are being prayed for currently and regularly. It’s my hope to encourage others through writing and to show Jesus in and through the fun and sass. Through it all, praying for one another is what helps draw us closer to Christ. May God bless you and keep you as you continue to move forward in whatever part of your current season you’re in. Trust in the fact that He is not done with you yet.
Jenny is vivacious, competitive, and can usually be located in a room by her loud laugh or animated motions. Her goal is to tie in life’s quirks and turns with God’s sincere goodness, pursuit, forgiveness and ultimate joy.
“Please leave a comment. We love when our women and girls encourage each other. If you have any wisdom or personal experience on this subject, please feel free to share! Thank you.”