Read Ecclesiastes 3:1-11; Psalm 23
ALSO IN SCRIPTURE
“Both day and night belong to You; You made the starlight and the sun. You set the boundaries of the earth, and You made both summer and winter.” (Psalms 74:16-17)
Well, summer vacation is totally over and the season of summer is coming to an end. The leaves are already beginning to change and some of them have already fallen. Any one who knows me knows that I LOVE the fall. The smell of wood burning emanating from people’s homes, the smell of the leaves, the fall breeze that chills the air, the smell of apples, cinnamon, and pumpkin. My goodness, and who can forget pumpkin spice coffee? (I would mention Mallomars, but alas…I am vegan).
All of this is enough to make a fall-crazed person, such as myself, extremely happy; however, the fall also leaves me feeling sad and anxious as I await the uncertain season of winter, already starting to leave finger marks on the ground with its bitter cold, icy hand. The fact is that, just as the seasons are ever-changing, so too is our life. Change is inevitable. It cannot be avoided. Whether we embrace it or not, we WILL change. From the moment we were conceived in our mother’s womb, our lives have been a series of changes. The only thing that is for certain, the only thing that NEVER changes, is the fact that each moment of our lives is filled with change.
Like the seasons of the year, we often go from times of certainty, warmth, and security to times of uncertainty, isolation and insecurity. Our lives are ever revolving in a circle just like the seasons. We are ever marching onward through life experiencing all the ups and downs that come with it. And each of the ups and downs we experience forever change us. But, believe it or not, it is in the change that lies the hope.
Can you imagine a world where it was always summer? A world where the earth never got a break from the summer sun? Can you imagine a world where everything stayed the same. A place where water did not exist to cut through and change the landscape? A place where the leaves on the trees never died to be reborn again? Even if it is not impossible to imagine such a world, it would be impossible to imagine such a world sustaining life.
Though we are not always happy about the changes that occur in our lives, though we are not always happy with the circumstances that befall us, there is hope. There is hope that though the sun may seem more distant and cold, it will rise to bring warmth into our lives again. THere is hope that, though days are shorter and the darkness lingers with us longer, a new and warmer season will spring forth to remind us that God has been with us all along.
There is one hope we have, as witnessed to throughout Scripture: God will never leave us nor forsake us. All we have to do is trust in that promise, no matter how bleak things get, and let the seasons come as they will. There is no doubt that we will change in the process; however, the kind of change we experience depends on our reaction to the seasons we’re in. God is calling us to a life-giving, spirit growing kind of change, a kind of change that reciprocates itself in the lives of others. This kind of change will spark a rebirth in us and in others just as the ever-present sun sparks the budding and growing of leaves on to the trees.
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
Know that God is with you as you continue to journey onward through the seasons in his grace!
PRAYER
Gracious and loving God, you are always present with me. In the good times and in the bad times, through all seasons, you are here with me. You will never leave me nor forsake me. Be present through me in the lives of others. Amen.
Absolutely true indeed! No matter what changes occur in our lives … God will walk us through it and we will change and adapt to what He wants us to be because He knows us the best. If we accept His truth of what He is conveying in our hearts, it will set us free and good change will happen in us. No matter what we may encounter, God is always in control and His way for us to live is always the best way. He nevers leaves us or forsake us and God always has everything under control regarding all aspects of our lives and He always leads us in the right course in life. He unconditionally loves all of us! I thank HIM everyday for His grace, love, guidance and every blessing.
When reading this devotional, it reminded me of something that was written by Chuck Swindoll about ATTITUDE. It goes like this: “The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company…a church….a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past…we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude…I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you…we are in charge of our ATTITUDE.” Written by Chuck Swindoll.
Thank you for the great commitment to God in sharing these devotionals with some many viewers including me. Each and every one of them have spoken to my heart in a mighty way and I thank God every day for you and what He is doing through you in reaching out to all His children throughout the world in spreading HIS LOVE AND WORD. It never ceases to amaze me on how far God’s love can reach and touch others. It certainly has touched mine in so many ways! Thank you Pastor Todd!
Thank you for sharing! I agree, attitude is important. How we react to situations is well over half of the battle. We cannot control what happens to us, but we certainly can control…or at least work on controlling…how we react the stuff that happens to us. Thanks again! I am glad that you are finding the devotionals to be meaningful and worthwhile! 🙂
Pastor Todd, This is a great devotion that will lead us all into what I believe is the most beautiful season of all. Thank you for reminding us that we are never alone. The Lord said He would never leave us or forsake us. I find it inspirational how the leaves are the most beautiful just before they are ready to fall from the tree and die. For me, I see it as a message that there is more beyond death. The changing color of the leaves is like a preview of what is to come! All glory and honor are Yours Oh Lord!
Amen! Thank you Debbie! Indeed, the leaves on the trees are indeed a great metaphor for the cycle of life. Just as there is more beyond just this life here on earth, I also see the leaves as being symbolic for the lives we live on this earth. We all go through tough times…through fall and winter where we feel alone and, in some cases, even spiritually/physically/emotionally/psychologically dead. But we have the hope in God that we can and will experience life again if we only trust in God. We can experience it NOW. And when the day comes where we breathe our last, we will be at peace knowing who’s hands we are passing into! Thank you for your great insight into the season of Fall. I indeed share it with you. 😉
now thats a good one and the picture is really cool.
LORIEN ROCKS
Thank you Lorien! I think the pic is cool too!