Everything Changes

This week has been interesting, to say the least. I've been studying the book of Ecclesiastes and at first, I wasn't sure why. You may know the book as the one in which the "time for everything under the sun" passage is located. That's just it – SEASONS, SEASONS, SEASONS!!! It seems that every direction I have turned lately, the word "season" has been present, whether in song lyrics, scripture, sermon or the words of a person nearby. Don't get me wrong, I have always known that seasons are important in life, but never really understood God's purpose behind each of my seasons until very recently. God has allowed me to walk in some very deep valleys and stand upon some high mountain tops in the last 2 years – and if I'd let him, Satan could very easily convince me that I have failed in so many ways. For example, who, in their right mind, begs God to use them in full-time Christian ministry – gets the opportunity to do just that, and 18 months later, walks away from it??? This girl. To some, this was a failure. To me, this was God ordained and part of my story. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 says –

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
²a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
³a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
⁴a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
⁵a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; ⁶a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
⁷a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
⁸a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.

Here's what I know - There are seasons in our lives, just as there are seasons in our year. Sometimes its spring and all things are new. There is noticeable growth and fruit produced. This season may bring rain – but we all know the rain is to water the ground, which aids in the process of growth. The rain that falls in our life and tries to dampen our good moods is just ways in which God wants to wash away the old in order to empower new growth. (Let's says this is the time to be born and the time to plant.) Then comes summer – we all know this season is related to fun and family time. Vacations, family reunions, excitement and rest all go hand in hand with summer. As it applies to our lives, our summer season can be a season of happiness and cause us less stress than normal. Everything seems brighter and in full bloom (maybe this is the time to break down, a time to laugh and a time to embrace.) Fall, or autumn in some places, is my absolute favorite season. Some people see this season as the beginning of a gloomy time of the year. Things die off and prepare for winter. Me – I love this time of year. It means leaves are changing to a beautiful array of colors; TN football is in full swing, bonfires are the weekend past time, and officially the weather to wear hoodies. For some, this is the time to pluck up what is planted. Spiritually – this may be the season that is the hardest. It can be the times when things seem to be stripped off. It can be a hard time – because it's a season of change. In the "fall" seasons of my life – like I am in right now – it seems like change happens at a much quicker pace than I would like; new surroundings, new people in my path, new assignments from God, new revelations. No wonder it's my favorite – I'm thankful for change. Now comes winter – a season of cold temperatures, dreary views and hibernation. People tend to get sedentary at this time of year. Thankfully, the holidays bring about a reason to be joyful. I see winter in my life as a time to rest, reflect and plan ahead for the next season. None of these seasons are bad, although some may be more difficult than others. If we look at the seasons of our life individually, they can seem like a roller coaster of all emotions – but when viewed as a whole life, it's much easier to see that God does have a plan for you and for me. Seasons can be spent in the belly of a whale or in a palace; sometimes He chooses to throw us into a prison, sometimes He brings us to the top of the mountain. The hope in all of this is that 1 – we are never alone, 2 – God has a plan, 3 – His strength is sufficient to cover our inadequacy.

"All of my life, in every season-
You are still God and I have a reason to sing.

I have a reason to worship."

-Desert Song by Hillsong

Be faithful and charge ahead, dear friend. Kneel at the cross and listen for the still small voice to direct your path.

Never Once

I did not realize it had been so long since I posted a new blog on here. I apologize. So much has transpired since my last post, I really don't know where to begin. First off, I resigned from The Gathering - purely because God has something new for me in this season of my life. I still love that church and still believe in Pastor Gene. I will be there Sunday morning, to worship my God with His people. I am back with the City of Sevierville, only now at the Events Center. It feels like coming home after being away for a long time. I wont lie and say its been easy - walking off that hill was heartbreaking. But that's what happens to you surrender completely and tell God you will go wherever He sends. We think we know His thoughts and His plans - but we have no idea. There is a song currently out by Matt Redman called "Never Once." Here are the lyrics:

Standing on this mountaintop
Looking just how far we've come
Knowing that for every step
You were with us

Kneeling on this battle ground
Seeing just how much You've done
Knowing every victory
Is Your power in us

Scars and struggles on the way
But with joy our hearts can say
Yes, our hearts can say

Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Bridge
Scars and struggles on the way
But with joy our hearts can say
Never once did we ever walk alone
Carried by Your constant grace
Held within Your perfect peace
Never once, no, we never walk alone

I could never explain in words what this song has done fore me over the past month. A mind shift has taken place for me that has broken a lot of negative thinking off. I am reminded that God is faithful, regardless where He chooses to make us walk. He knows exactly what each of us needs in order to be the person He created us to be and do the things He called us to do. I love to sit back and see Him move among people, often undetected. I'm so thankful that never once do I ever walk alone!

Be blessed!