A Season of Change
| Curled up on my couch I listened as my dad told me that he was taking a job in Milledgeville. I was shocked to say the least. I sat there trying to form words, but very few came out. |
My dad’s
upcoming move just added to the number of people whom I knew, or knew of, that
were moving.
There are
seasons where every time I’d turn around someone was “in a relationship”
“engaged” or “married” and more now “having babies.” But this was an
all-together new season!!! Literally. New in beginnings, for many, but also
just a season I had never really gone through were it seemed everyone was
moving somewhere new, and I don’t just mean down the block. I mean, people
moving STATES a way from the places they call home.
For some reason
about a month ago or so I had really sensed the Holy Spirit speaking this one
word over my heart. It was the word, “new.”
I would usually
would senses that word in my spirit when I was either thinking about or praying
about a certain situation. So I reasoned that God was about to do a new thing
in this particular situation—believing him for full restoration.
But, I am
finding that maybe the Lord didn’t just mean “new” for me. He was doing
something new in many peoples lives. A season of fresh starts and new
beginnings.
See,
I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making
a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.- Isaiah 43:19
Maybe
it’s just a new season you stepping into: new school year, new school (college,
high school, middle school…etc), new job, new house
Maybe
for you its seeing God take a season that was painful, a “wasteland, a desert”
and God is “making a way.” He giving you purpose from the pain, you’re
beginning to see how God is using this for your good and his glory. He is
making a way for you in your desert, or maybe He already made the way and
you’re on the other side celebrating!
Maybe
you’re moving (like my dad) states away, a town or two or three a way, maybe
just down the road…regardless how far you’d still categorize what you’re doing
as moving…and that brings with it’s own level of mixed emotions. Not just for
the one moving but the ones who are having to say goodbye.
Maybe
you’re newly married or parents for the first time.
Regardless
of where you find yourself, God is on the move. He is doing a new thing in so
many peoples lives. My prayer is that we would be expectant!!!
I
love the question in (Isaiah 43:19) “do you not perceive it?”
Do
you not see that God is doing a NEW thing, and we should be excited and
expectant!
After
finding out about that my dad was doing to be moving, a long with what felt
like the rest of the world, I had a little bit of meltdown shall we say on the
phone with my best friend.
It
felt like everyone was moving on (literally) but me.
I was overwhelmed. I couldn't take anymore people moving--everyone just stay put!!! After
some tears and counseling from my best friend, I laid my head down, prayed, and with a headache went to bed. The next few days that followed I began to find peace in my
season.
Yes,
I had been working at the same job for 6 years, but what a blessing it has
been. I get to love on little 6 year olds everyday. There I days I feel more
loving than others, but it’s reminding myself of the ministry I have in front
of me everyday in those 20 six year olds.
I
also have been blessed to be apart of a dynamic and anointed girls ministry.
Being able to be apart of a team of ladies who share a vision to see girls grow
in their relationship with Christ, but even more than that see a Conference
(that the Lord laid on many of our hearts) come to life—was and continues to be
a miracle. I’m just grateful to be apart. I feel sometimes like I’m riding the
wave of what so many of these many spent years building. But, the Lord ALONE
sustains what is His. So I’m blessed and honored to be apart.
Once
I began to remind myself that where I am and all that I have been able to do
have been answers to prayers, my heart turns from being filled with self-pity
to thankfulness.
God
seems to be brings some new changes my way as well, am I am excited. But, I
didn’t want to just speak to those are in season of new beginnings, but to
those who feel like they are doing the same ole’ thing, in the same ole’ place…
“So let’s not
allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a
good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get
the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people
closest to us in the community of faith.”- Gal 6:9-10 (message)
The
best advice I ever heard on this topic of learning to be content where God has
you, is something I heard worship leader Christy Nockels say at a women’s event
I attended years ago, but it was just want I needed then and there have been
many times the Lord brings those words to my remembrance.
“Learn
to bloom where you are planted. When you out grow the pot God has planted you,
he will uproot you and put you in a bigger one, when you out grow that one
he’ll put you in a even bigger one. But it’s learning to bloom where He has
planted you.”
Bigger
can mean a lot of different things. It doesn’t always necessarily mean more or
larger or maybe it can. It can simply mean just new or different.
But
I have learned the hard way, that the key to blooming where you are planted is
stop striving.
Ps
46:10 (NASB)
Cease
striving and know
that I am God
Just resting in
God, sitting at Jesus’ feet, and pursuing Him with all your heart, soul and
mind is the key. Simply be open to go where the Lord would want you to go, but
also be content and trust, and stay were He wants you to stay.
Regardless of
were you fall, I truly believe that God is on the move and doing something new!
I find it fitting that during a season where the colors of the leaves begin to change, seems to also be period of time (at least in my life) that is also bringing with it lots of changes. Fall is one of my favorite seasons, but if I let God do what He wants do in this season...this season of changes could turn out of be one of my favorite seasons. I don't know about you, but sometimes I just need some season that are less about learning lessons and more about just being refreshed and seeing God do a new and fresh work in and around me. haha
Praying that I will, and I hope you will too, will sit back and enjoy the changes that are happening all around us. Just as me stand and marvel at God creation during fall as the leaves change and the weather on some days is simply perfection, may be also be in awe of the Lord as we look at all changes happening around us, in our own lives, and those we love.
Change really can be a beautiful thing
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