It’s been awhile since I’ve gotten to converse with you all. We just finished up a ten week series called Secure in Christ where we looked at different ways to become more secure in ourselves by loving and appreciating the gift that we are. It is my prayer that you enjoyed it as much as I did, and honestly, much has happened within the last ten weeks that have made me put into practice what I’ve been preaching. At times God can orchestrate life that way. But, times have changed for me in various ways in various aspects of my life. Old things have died, giving way to opportunities and newness. Autumn is all about harvest; you finally get to reap what you’ve sown. Spiritually this is a time to anticipate the benefits of prayer and fasting, lamentations, and confession. This is the season we expect to see the finger of God in and on our lives.
There is joy and pain in change. Letting go and shedding what we were once so familiar with hurts, but it creates space for something new and that newness can come from the most unexpected places. Dreams can be lost, career choices don’t pan out, what you thought was forever was actually meant to be never. Things change and it is part of life. When life happens and things change for us, this creates chances for self discovery and improvement. Change allows us to edit and tweak our goals and visions. Our disposition on change determines how we experience change itself.
Time changes tonight. We receive an extra hour of sleep—nights are longer, the sun doesn’t shine as long as it used to, and for some it can be a challenge getting used to the change initially. Eventually, we get used to the change in turning our clocks back, but the changes in life can be harder to adjust to. For someone the holidays will never be the same—there will be an empty spot at the dinner table on Thanksgiving that a certain person used to sit at. Christmas won’t be the same not hearing a loved one’s voice anymore. How can we be joyous in a time like this, when time changes how we don’t want it to? This time of year reminds me that darkness falls and it can seem to last longer than the day—bad news, death, disease, and hardship seem to be rampant, but even when nights get longer and the sun sets sooner, every twelve hours, even the night has to give way to day.
It is important to remember that where you have been—even where you are—is not, and does not have to be the end of you. What if this is the beginning of who God intended you to be this whole time? What if the catalyst for the purpose of your life is birthed in the pain you’ve been feeling? Scripture is filled with encouragement and reminders that life is not one consistent track; we experience a variety of emotions and circumstances. Psalm 126:5 encourages us in hope that “those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy.” Solomon, or the Preacher, reminds us in Ecclesiastes 3 that there is a time for everything on earth—nothing lasts forever. Jesus encourages the broken-hearted to trust that they are actually blessed because God will comfort them (Matthew 5:3).
Broken-heartedness does not last forever. Why? God will cause time to change. God will visit you where you are when life happens, God will cause you to reap a harvest of healing, joy, and hope. God will comfort those who mourn, and they will get their strength back. Whatever has happened to you does not define you. Whatever happens to you might just be happening for you; I encourage you to run on and see what the end’s gonna be, because soon enough, time changes.
Until next time, continue to stay guided by grace,
Tra
Guided by Grace 