Here in New Brunswick, Canada we have all just entered the Autumn season of 2018. If we were living in Antarctica we would need to get used to six months of darkness before the sun rose for six months of daylight. If we lived in the rainforests of South America, there would be next to no change in the damp, humid climate. But one thing for certain, wherever we are, we all experience our local season together.
It’s kind of fun to imagine what this might look like if it were otherwise; that is, if the natural seasons were different for each individual…
Suppose you were going through a blistering hot summer like the one we just had here in July. Why, you could just get together with a buddy who was going through a winter season and give each other some relief! You sipping an ice tea while cooling down by his frostiness, and he gathering warmth from your summer while enjoying a hot chocolate! Yes, that would be cool…. or warm – or whichever!
Well, that may not be how we experience seasons in the natural world, but it is most definitely how we experience the seasons that come our way in the spiritual realm. One individual may be experiencing the joys of childbirth while another suffering the pangs of loss. A new believer may be thrilled by the newness of Christ within him, eagerly devouring the Word with a hunger for more! Another may have stumbled into loneliness and depression and neglected the scriptures for weeks.
You’ve been through some changes and challenges already. Now you can use these seasons to strengthen and instruct others who may not yet have journeyed there. As scripture testifies…
“Praise be to the God… the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3,4)
“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others”. (Philippians 2:4)
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)
We should be ready at all times “in season and out” [whether you’re really ‘feeling it’ at the moment, or not] with the gospel (2 Tim. 2:4). The gospel is always Truth despite our feelings. But we should also be listening to God so we can be ready to speak encouragement to those enduring a difficult season.
Isaiah announced, “The Lord God has given Me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary,” (Isaiah 50:4).
Do you see someone who is wearied by their season? God will provide someone to come alongside and bring relief, like the dry places made springs we looked at yesterday. Today, for someone, maybe that person is you.
Press on…
thebrokenrunner 