As I first sat down to draft this post the sky outside was very cloudy, and the weather forecast said rain was coming.
I enjoy the rain, when I’m inside. However I don’t necessarily like to go out in it – especially during one of the Texas downpours when you can’t see more than a few inches in front of you.
Wait a minute: “Can’t see more than a few inches in front of you…” Sounds like walking with Jesus, huh? Because He often will just let you see a couple inches in front of you too! But there’s the excitement – the adventure. Letting Him lead you wherever He wants you to go.
However walking with Jesus means going through many seasons of life, and sometimes they can be very stormy, rainy seasons, when you really can’t see the way out.
Years ago I had the privilege of speaking at a women’s retreat organized by our church. When I asked the gal in charge what the focus of the retreat was going to be so that I could prepare accordingly, she said there wasn’t really a topic, but with the season of springtime just around the corner her hope was that the gals attending would be refreshed and invigorated.
As I prayed, almost immediately I felt the Lord nudging me to talk about just that: seasons – or more precisely, seasons of life.
In Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, King Solomon talks about the many seasons in our lives that we go through. Times to laugh and cry; times to plant and sow; times to hear and speak; and even times for war and peace.
Solomon probably learned a lot about seasons from his earthly father, King David.
God himself called King David “a man after His own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22). Yet when you study the life of David in 1 Samuel 16 – 1 Kings 2, you find that he certainly wasn’t perfect. He made mistakes just like all of us. Some of his mistakes were really bad. But every time he realized that he had messed up, he went before God and repented. And God forgave him.
So David would go on into the next season that God had planned for him.
King Solomon personally went through many seasons as he details in the book of Ecclesiastes. Yet eventually he came full circle – at peace with himself, at peace with God, and ready for eternity.
Some seasons in our lives last a very long time. We wonder whether we’re ever going to be able to see the sunshine in our lives again. I’ve been there.
Yet other seasons seem so very short. Think of the beautiful sunset that you’ve witnessed, or a very precious moment with a loved one. All of a sudden it’s gone and you wonder why it had to pass so very quickly. I’ve been there too.
Isaiah 58:11 says in the New Living Translation:
The LORD will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.
No matter what season you find yourself in, remember that there’s a new season around the corner. Some seasons will be long; and some will be short. However our mindset is what will make the difference in every season.
Years ago I heard the song After the Rain by Aaron+Jeoffrey which reminds me that my Father’s always there, no matter what season I’m in. Here’s just the first part of the song – I encourage you to listen to it all from the link above:
I cover my heart, turn from the wind
Button my coat, here comes the storm again
What can I do but to trust in Him‘Cause I know the deeper my faith runs
The stronger I become
And the thunder, it may shake me
But I always know thatAfter the rain
You can look to the sky again
The clouds will give way
To the light of the sunAfter the rain
You know that you’ve made it through
And you’ll finally see the joy from the pain
After the rain
As the song says, always remember that you can trust your Father through every season of life. He will bring you through.
And for me here at home? Last night the weather forecasters were correct – we experienced heavy rain – a torrential downpour, as a matter of fact with thunder and lightening. But now today? It’s a new day and the sun is shining.
Thank you, Father.
The God Of All Comfort 