Do you experience the "roller coaster" syndrome? If you are honest, you would join the rest of us by confessing "yes" you too have a season pass to the ride. We are "up" and then we are "down"! We sizzle then fizzle! I have know the experience of being inspired at a conference or revival meeeting, and I have know the struggle to remain movtivated days later. Even when maintaing the discplines of prayer, Bbile study and worship attendance, we can still succomb to the cycle. I have discovered there to be many reasons for this common experience: 1. ebb and flow of our emotions 2. ever changing cirumstances such as health and schedules 3. varying intensity of spiritual warefare 4. lack of discipline in spiritual habits. Although, all of these are contributing factors, I submit there is another factor to consider which I call the "seasons of the saints". Just as there are seasons of the earth, winter, spring, summer and autumn, I have discovered there are "seasons" in the saints journey. Each of the enviromental seasons has a purpose which help make the climate benificial for all who live on the planet. The Fall frosts kill the "Rag Weed", Spring rains help the flowers bloom and the Summer sun melts the snows and ripens the tomatoes. I am a fan of the Fall, but there would be no canvass of Fall foliage without the work of the precios three season! I am convinced that we go through seasonal cycles in spritual lives and in each cycle the Lord is at work!Have you experieinced a "winter" when things look drab, become dark and feel cold? Many important processes are happening in the enviroment during winter, and yet most are not seen.The "Spring" of joy and growth could not come without the hidden almost unnoticable work of "winter"! A wise man wrote nearly three thousand years ago, "to everythng there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven"(Ecclestiastes 3:1). The Lord is always at work in the believer's life (Philippians 1"6) and as Lord of the Harvest, He is working in every season of our lives. Praise the Lord! He is at work in us and our circumstances to bring us to where He wants to be! Let me challenge to think about the season you are experieincing now and consider these thoughts: 1. You are in a season now and The Lord is at work. Trust Him 2. There is a new season coming. Be Patient 3. Don't allow the Devil to discourage you. Be Faithful! 4. The Lord is in control of the timing of your "seasons". Be Teachable! Too many times I missed the goodness and blessing of the differing season because I was too busy being discouraged. Let's not do the Devil's work for him! THE LORD IS AT WORK IN OUR SEASONS
|
Doug MillerEvangelist Archives
May 2021
Categories |