Seasons of Change

By Beverly Hill McKinney

Looking out at my backyard, subtle changes are beginning on the trees that surround my patio. Light yellow leaves appear amidst the lush green. Fall is soon approaching.

Viewing this scene, I think of changes the Lord brings into our lives, much like the seasons that we encounter throughout the year.

When we ask the Lord to save us, change begins. 2 Corinthians 5:17 reminds us that if we are in Christ, we are a new creature and everything becomes new. What a glorious thought. All those sins of our past are immediately wiped away in that moment. Consequences of those sins may take months or years to clear from our lives, but the Lord is there to help us through.

As Fall ends and cold weather approaches, we face the chill of winter. These are times when we are surrounded and oppressed from trials, but in 2 Corinthians 4:8 we read that we may be troubled on every side, but not distressed or overcome; perplexed but not in despair. What a promise! No matter what we go through during the Winter of our lives, God helps us get our eyes on the beauty of Him. We now experience that time as the clean, fallen snow, resting softly on the meadow. In that quietness we can hear God’s still small voice once again.

Winter ends and new life begins. Those are the glorious times in our lives when new ministries or opportunities open for us. In Psalms 98:1 we are told to sing a new song unto the Lord for He has and will do great things. It is in the midst of the budding of the springtime flowers, we experience a renewal of excitement at what the Lord will do in our lives through His new work. Just as springtime is the time of new life, so in our Christian life it is a time for the planting of God’s Word that springs forth new opportunities to serve. We can look for places where we might begin a new service. Helping in a homeless shelter or delivering food to the elderly are a few ways to bring a new song to those in need.

Late Spring grows warmer and we are soon into summer. Summer is a time of heat, fire, and storms. Living where storms are common, we realize with the storms come the fires. However, the forests need those fires to clean out the undergrowth and to experience renewed growth. We don’t like going through those times, but it is a necessity. We have the assurance in Isaiah 43:2 that we will come out victorious. We are told “…When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned.”

Whatever season we are experiencing in our own Christian walk, we can rely on God’s promises that He will go with us through the changes. (good times and bad) In 2 Corinthians 12:9 He promises, “My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”

Beverly Hill McKinney writes from Rogue River, Oregon. bmckinnehill@yahoo.com