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Seasons

 *Special Note: This is what I first wrote after I felt the leading of Holy Spirit to share my perspectives (late September to October). I have been holding on to this one until now, and initially intended to begin the blog at this time. God had other plans, and when He gave me the title, I knew He was ready for my words...and I believe some of His... to be shared. 

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I’ve been thinking a lot about the events that have transpired in 2020. Most of us would agree that it has been a difficult year. But I don’t want to get caught in the trap of looking forward to better things “next year.” Allow me to explain.


Life isn’t just a series of good years and bad years. It is seasons. Just like in winter, everything can seem dead. Dreary. In those moments, we may feel that God is far away. But remember that winter is necessary. If we didn’t have winter, the ground would not have time to rest and renew so that it can burst forth with life and renewed hope in the spring.


Every year comes with struggles, great and small. But in every 365 days around the sun, there are blessings. It’s all about your perspective. Do you choose to see the good? More importantly, do you choose to BE the good? 

 Sometimes you have to tilt your head and squint a little to find the good. Pastor Chuck was a master of seeing God in every circumstance because he made a CHOICE to see God is everything. For example, he reminded us recently that as a church, we set personal goals at the beginning of the year. For most of us, those goals included prioritizing time for God and family. Enter COVID. In a matter of days, we entered into a new season. One that forced us to stop, rest, re-evaluate, and spend time with our family. 

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that COVID has been a blessing. Our lives have all been changed by this horrific virus that has wreaked havoc on a global scale. However, I firmly believe in the divine power of God to take something tragic and terrible and work it out for our good. 


Consider the Old Testament story of Joseph. After being betrayed by his brothers, thrown into a pit, sold as a slave, falsely accused, wrongly imprisoned, redeemed by a king, and forced to face the brothers who betrayed him, Joseph made a CHOICE. Rather than allowing his suffering to stunt him emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, he held to the belief that God would deliver him, and the dreams of his childhood would come to fruition. This fervent belief led to the moment when he tells his brothers in Genesis 50:20 “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.”


I think it’s appropriate that this post comes out as we enter the holiday season. Above all remember this: seasons change, but God remains the same.  


Smiles,

Jill


© Jill Cook, Unbroken & Undone Ministries. All rights reserved.


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