Tis the Season!

It snowed on us again; A lot of snow too.  I know it is still winter however; I am ready for summer.  I would be happy if we skipped spring all together and went straight to 80 degrees.  Living in North Idaho I get to experience all four seasons.  This is one thing that draws many people to this area; they love it. Unfortunately, I am not one of them. I hate winter. Spring and fall are tolerable. Don’t get me wrong they are beautiful. Each season has wonderful qualities but to me, I would rather it to just always be summer. I love summer! I love the heat, swimming, camping, bbqs, the long days and warm nights. Summer is my comfort zone. It is where I feel I belong the most, in the sun, but it isn’t always summer. Actually, summer is only three of the twelve months. The majority of the year I am not comfortable. I find this ironically similar to my walk with God lately. I am definitely in a season that I am not fond of.

The season is of change. It’s of uncertainty and the unknown. It’s a season of being uncomfortable and fearful. Unlike the weather seasons, I don’t know what to expect. For example, I hate winter but in the fall I prepare for it. I buy snow tires and warm clothes and make sure everything I have control over is taken care of.  The seasons in our life sadly, are not always like that. The other day I read in Ecclesiastes 3

To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:

² A time to be born,
    And a time to die;
A time to plant,
    And a time to pluck what is planted;
³ A time to kill,
    And a time to heal;
A time to break down,
    And a time to build up;
⁴ A time to weep,
    And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn,
    And a time to dance;
⁵ A time to cast away stones,
    And a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace,
    And a time to refrain from embracing;
⁶ A time to gain,
    And a time to lose;
A time to keep,
    And a time to throw away;
⁷ A time to tear,
    And a time to sew;
A time to keep silence,
    And a time to speak;
⁸ A time to love,
    And a time to hate;
A time of war,
    And a time of peace

Now, I have read this before but it takes on a new meaning when I’m going through one of those seasons. Not the summer ones but the winter. Certain areas of my life seem to be dying. This is painful and sad; however there are also areas of new exhilarating life growing. I have been truly blessed watching the new unfold. Seeing how God is using me, and calling me into His ministry is thrilling. This new life is refreshing and stimulating, but I still get sad when I see the other aspects of my life that are disappearing.  I know God is growing me and it’s uncomfortable right now.  I know there are areas in my life that need to die.  It doesn’t make it hurt any less. The truth is I don’t care for the season I am in right now. It is hard therefore; I will keep clinging to my Father.  Praise God, He is ALWAYS the same! A strong tower, a shelter (Psalm 61:3) I need a strong tower in this season. I need His shelter. I need His strength and His peace. I praise God that I can run into the safety of His arms through this rainy period. I tell Him I don’t like season and He tells me that it is ok; I don’t have to like it, I just have to trust Him. Honestly I do trust Him, so I rejoice knowing that He is in charge. His word tells me He goes before me and I have no reason to fear (Deut 31:8) I might not like the seasons but I love the one in charge of them! I love the one who even the winds listen to him! (Mark 4:41) And, I know that soon it will be summer again, even if it doesn't last long J