I live in sunny southern California. We are blessed with great weather and really do not have traditional seasons. We have our own seasons, fire, flood/mudslide, and flu, but those are not the traditional seasons.
I was in Bakersfield, a mere 100 miles away, for the holidays. It took me a day or two, but I noticed the leaves on the trees had changed colors, and there were a lot of leaves on the ground. It looked like a puzzle from my youth…it is the fall season.
I was struck by the beauty of the changing scenery because I do not see this transformation in the neighborhood in which I live or work. I have not really learned to appreciate the changing seasons because of where I live.
In other parts of the country, when it snows, we only see when there is a blizzard or ice storm, or record breaking hail. I am used to seeing the extremes of the seasons on television, but it doesn’t really impact my life.
It was during this brief time of reflection, I realized my life has seasons and I had just gone from one to another. Because nothing extreme had taken place, I did not notice it or appreciate it at first. It took me getting some perspective to recognize a new season in my life.
Where I live, we play most outdoor sports year round; the weather is that nice and consistent. I do not own true winter clothes and may or may not even own a working umbrella. Such has been my walk with the Lord recently…sunny and warm, all is calm.
But I have friends and family who live elsewhere, and they regularly experience the changing seasons. They tend to be more prepared, keep an umbrella in the car for instance, and have heavy winter clothes or a large collection of sweaters and gloves.
I think Christians who experience extreme conditions every now and then are the same way…more prepared, and less stressed by the changing seasons and events of life. I’ve been in Chicago in January…that is a different kind of cold. But it makes even a cold winter in Los Angeles seem mild by comparison.
Let’s learn to appreciate the changing seasons of our life. Your seasons may differ from mine, but we all have them, and they are constantly changing. It may be more difficult to see the signs of change, but they are there. The days grow shorter, the air is crisper, and the nights are colder. We make adjustments and we adapt.
What season are you in? Were you prepared for it? What is coming next? Are you preparing for it? While things are running smoothly in your walk, get ready for the next battle, for the next challenge, for the next season.
Don’t be fooled into thinking spring or summer will last forever…fall and winter must come. Get ready, for it’s THAT season now. Appreciate where you are for this too shall pass…it’s only for a season.
Everyday God... 