Seasons
March 1st.
And we’re moving into Spring. I’m so grateful to live in a place where we experience seasons. Maybe that's what was so difficult about living in Southern California for the few years that I did. No real seasons, just hot and not as hot, at least in my area. Seasons are such a gift. They help us to make sense of God's work in our personal lives as we work out our salvation. No, it's not FUN to endure a long winter. Yes, there's a reason why we say "endure", but the Spring that comes afterwards is much more appreciated and enjoyed.
About one year ago I was teaching at a breakfast for the women at our church and the topic was God saying no to something good. That's a hard thing to stomach. How can a good God who loves me say no to something? Well, there are all sorts of answers to that question, but one fact that stood out to me in preparing for that message came from Psalm 23. That same Shepherd that makes us to lie down in green pastures and beside the still waters is the One who is with us when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death. There is no Shepherd switch. That SAME shepherd that brings us into rest and joy, is the same one that walks with us. “I will fear no evil for You are with me” Ps 23:4.
How do we know that He’s there without passing through that valley?
He is there amidst it all-the Winter and Summer, Spring and Fall and there is such comfort that comes with that.
Madeleine
And we’re moving into Spring. I’m so grateful to live in a place where we experience seasons. Maybe that's what was so difficult about living in Southern California for the few years that I did. No real seasons, just hot and not as hot, at least in my area. Seasons are such a gift. They help us to make sense of God's work in our personal lives as we work out our salvation. No, it's not FUN to endure a long winter. Yes, there's a reason why we say "endure", but the Spring that comes afterwards is much more appreciated and enjoyed.
About one year ago I was teaching at a breakfast for the women at our church and the topic was God saying no to something good. That's a hard thing to stomach. How can a good God who loves me say no to something? Well, there are all sorts of answers to that question, but one fact that stood out to me in preparing for that message came from Psalm 23. That same Shepherd that makes us to lie down in green pastures and beside the still waters is the One who is with us when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death. There is no Shepherd switch. That SAME shepherd that brings us into rest and joy, is the same one that walks with us. “I will fear no evil for You are with me” Ps 23:4.
How do we know that He’s there without passing through that valley?
He is there amidst it all-the Winter and Summer, Spring and Fall and there is such comfort that comes with that.
Madeleine