Times, Reasons, and Seasons

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1 (King James Version)

Realizing that God has a time, a reason, and a season for everything in my life brings great comfort when I am going through a trial. I want to know the uncomfortable circumstances in my life serve a purpose and that there is an end in sight. I want to know life will not always be like this. I want to know that somewhere down the road there will be joy, laughter, and freedom. I want to know that the roller coaster of emotions will bring me to a place of rest.

But I am coming to realize this verse also applies to the good things of life. Those things that make me comfortable, those things I enjoy, those people who become precious to me, those relationships that put me on cloud nine. Anything I hold near and dear to my heart must be held with hands that have this verse inscribed on them. I must realize that nothing and no one this side of heaven can be considered a permanent part of my life. Just as the seasons change, just as nature itself changes, and landscapes change, our lives change. We cannot stop that. Our interactions with people will go through changes. It is natural and it is necessary.

The problem comes when I fight the change. Some people can come in and out of my life and it doesn‘t affect me much. With other people, their removal from my life can seem devastating. When I realize they are gone or the relationship has changed I can take a nose dive in my emotions and soul. I can feel that my world is falling apart and lose all sense of security and stability. It is then that I realize I have grabbed hold of them in a way I should grabbed hold of God. They have become precious to me and I don’t want to give them up.

God knows if I never experience these changes I will not draw closer to Him. I will not depend on Him as I should. I will live unsatisfied and stagnate. That is the difference between a pond and a river. A pond has life but it is very limited. A river is always moving forward and affecting the things around it. I want my life to be a river designed by God. I want Him to place the bends, the forks, and the banks in all the right places.

Father, all of life around me is changing but You and Your ways never change. You are the One constant in my life and I cling to that! Amen.

Draw Me Close To You
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