SEASONS
There are some times in our lives when we can easily get caught up in the "seasons" of daily living, and lose focus of the "big picture". At times, we may need to pull out that spiritual "film projector" and roll em', to regain focus and realize just what is really important and what isn't. It isn't hard to get off track and find ourselves drowning in the everyday trappings of life, trying to manage a rat race that we aren't equipped for. We, after all, are pilgrims, in a strange land--and this is not our home. But, as we occupy this place, for the time being, we have to cope with "seasons"; yet, not without an eternal hope and a future.
The seasons of this life sometimes carry, great burdens, trials and pain; but while those seasons might destroy some, they make us and purify us. We go from day to day, not focused on how our difficulties and challenges are turning us into vessels of glory and honor--but they are. We can't see it--we feel it, and it hurts, honestly-speaking, but the end-product is well worth the pain. The thing is, we can't see the end, but God can, and everything that satan uses to buffet you and tempt you, God takes it and turns into a tool to remove the jealousy, the bitterness, malice, meanness, etc. Those darts satan throws, become a polishing cloth in the Hands of the Master to make you shine, brighter than the sun.
The hard part is in recognizing and holding onto the promise that He is working it all out for our good. When life aches, it's hard to remember that what someone meant for evil, "God meant it unto good...".When we watch the "film" in deepest part of us, in an effort to encourage ourselves, we will be reminded that nothing in our lives has happened without purpose--the most difficult things, will show that they have some purpose for us, and possibly others, as well. Romans 8:29-31 says, "whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the Firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified. What shall we say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
That means it is ALL apart of the plan. He knew that Adam would plunge all of mankind into a state of sin--but He had already predestined us for eternal greatness. He knew which mistakes we would make--still He called us. He knew how we would fail--still He chose to justify us, by the faith that He so freely gave to us. He knew that we would choose to live beneath our privilege spiritually over and over--still He is glorifying us for Himself. Now, in light of all of this, knowing His omnipotence--why are we so focused on the seasons??? It's just a small thing, look at the film--how much space does it take up in terms of eternity? You can barely remember it--it's such a minute dot. Now stay focused, because...
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in Heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, thought it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. Whom having not seen, ye love; in Whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls." 1. Peter 1:3-9
The seasons of this life sometimes carry, great burdens, trials and pain; but while those seasons might destroy some, they make us and purify us. We go from day to day, not focused on how our difficulties and challenges are turning us into vessels of glory and honor--but they are. We can't see it--we feel it, and it hurts, honestly-speaking, but the end-product is well worth the pain. The thing is, we can't see the end, but God can, and everything that satan uses to buffet you and tempt you, God takes it and turns into a tool to remove the jealousy, the bitterness, malice, meanness, etc. Those darts satan throws, become a polishing cloth in the Hands of the Master to make you shine, brighter than the sun.
The hard part is in recognizing and holding onto the promise that He is working it all out for our good. When life aches, it's hard to remember that what someone meant for evil, "God meant it unto good...".When we watch the "film" in deepest part of us, in an effort to encourage ourselves, we will be reminded that nothing in our lives has happened without purpose--the most difficult things, will show that they have some purpose for us, and possibly others, as well. Romans 8:29-31 says, "whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the Firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified. What shall we say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
That means it is ALL apart of the plan. He knew that Adam would plunge all of mankind into a state of sin--but He had already predestined us for eternal greatness. He knew which mistakes we would make--still He called us. He knew how we would fail--still He chose to justify us, by the faith that He so freely gave to us. He knew that we would choose to live beneath our privilege spiritually over and over--still He is glorifying us for Himself. Now, in light of all of this, knowing His omnipotence--why are we so focused on the seasons??? It's just a small thing, look at the film--how much space does it take up in terms of eternity? You can barely remember it--it's such a minute dot. Now stay focused, because...
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in Heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, thought it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. Whom having not seen, ye love; in Whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls." 1. Peter 1:3-9
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