I am so excited to share my first ever 5 day mini devotional series titled Seasons Of Change. While leaves fall and the weather cools down as we shift into autumn, I thought this might be an appropriate time to reflect on the seasons of change in our own lives, and the ways our God moves there when we lean into Him.
Application:
Pray. Read. Pray.
Prior to reading each day’s devotion, pray for God to open your heart to Him. Ask Him how He wants you to receive this word. Read: Take notes, or write a reminder for the day, maybe read further into the scripture connected. Then, pray again. Thank Him and ask Him to help you apply His word into your day.
Monday - A season for everything
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 “For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.”
Whether you are currently in a season of change, or you have just transitioned out of one, there is a time for everything. Our God is a God of balance. When the scales feel like they are tipping to one side, He sees the bigger picture that we cannot. We are in a broken world, and with laughing comes mourning- but both can point us to our God. Think of Job, and his time of great earthly treasures and relationships, as well as his enduring hardship. Both taught him about our God, and he allowed both to draw Him to God, both in praise and in sorrow. If you have a few moments, take some time to find a quiet space and practice deep breathing. Pray. Maybe you will praise God for this season of joy in your life, or maybe you will ask Him to draw nearer as you walk through sorrow. In whatever season you’re in, let Him fill your heart and surround you with His love.
Tuesday-Letting it Fall Away
Philippians 4:8- “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
When the unexpected happens, when we are caught off guard, it can be hard to focus on anything other than the problem, the hardship, or the negative. It can be consuming. When unchecked, it can change our attitude, our outlook, and our temperament. What we think, becomes how we feel, which becomes how we act.
This verse reminds us not to dwell here, and to remind ourselves of His truth, and of the praiseworthy. What do you need to let fall away today? Bitterness? Anger? Resentment?
If you have time, grab a piece of paper and rip it in half. Take a moment to write this word, or several on one of the pieces of paper. On the other piece of paper, write down whatever is good, and lovely in your life. Pray. After you pray, ball up the first paper, and throw it away. Take the second and put it in your pocket, on your fridge or desk- somewhere to serve as a reminder to pause and reflect on His goodness.
Wednesday-Let Nothing Be Wasted
1 Corinthians 10:31 “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God”.
When was the last time that you thought about the small, simple acts of your day to day life as glorifying God? Is something as small as brushing your teeth giving Him glory? I think so. Brushing your teeth=Taking care of this vessel He gave you. Think about creation, and the season of fall specifically for a moment. Every leaf that falls from the tree eventually provides nutrients to the soil, which helps the organisms living in that space as well. Nothing is wasted. Every part of nature works together for His glory, just as every part of our lives can do the same. Set a goal to find a mundane daily task that you can shift to worship. Maybe it is listening to a sermon on the way to work while in the car, or reciting a verse while brushing your teeth to prepare you for the day. All of these things help set a firmer foundation to help us be more rooted in Him, no matter what comes our way.
Thursday-New Beginnings
Luke 8:39 “ Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you. And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.”
When we reflect on the hard things in our life that come and go, it can be difficult to think that “God works in mysterious ways” or “everything happens for a reason”. Instead, maybe think about your testimony, or look up or ask others around you about theirs. We all have things we wish wouldn’t have happened, some of which likely still hurt, or you are even in the thick of right now, and most of which we will likely never fully understand “why”. Instead of “why”, try to shift to “Who”. Just as leaves fall, and barren trees wait through a harsh winter before budding again, our God is a God of new beginnings. He is working, and moving, and growing, and teaching us something here. Whether justice or understanding comes to completion on this side of heaven, or not, His love never fails. He never fails.
Friday- An Unchanging God
Isaiah 40:28 “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God.”
Sometimes change is easy, and sometimes it is hard. In both, our Father remains the same. His goodness is the same. His just and mighty hand is the same. He was here long before us, and He will be working long after us. He is constant, and true. No matter what change you are facing, trust in knowing that your God does not. No matter how many times you feel let down, or overwhelmed by the world, you can always rely on and trust in Him. I hope that you are able to end this study reflecting on all of the ways in which you can view and work through change differently in Christ, and head into the rest of this season full of hope and peace.
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