Seasons of Life

It was a warm autumn day and I was sitting against a tree watching a display of life‘s beautiful blessings.  Her feet barely reached the pedals of her bike. She tried a few times to make it go but simply couldn’t.  She went and got her push behind car and ran after her brother with it, her face beaming from ear to ear.  He was riding his bike around the driveway with his camouflage back pack on.  He was looking for a “hunting fort” and instructed his sister to do the same. Our Jack Russell was running in the field near by hunting for anything that would move.  The breeze was blowing gently and you could smell the crisp autumn leaves.

I thought, “Isn’t this perfect?  How did I get here?  Who am I to deserve such a  beautiful life?  I certainly didn’t earn it!”  

“He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”  Titus 3:5 (NIV)

As I looked upward there was a stunning orange tree bursting with vibrant color in front of me.  A month ago that tree was green.  Six months ago it was full of buds.  Nine months ago it had no leaves but was outlined in snow.  Before that it had appeared dead.  Such are our lives.  

Our lives have seasons just as our earth.  There is a time when we appear dead, lifeless.  We are dormant and our lives are cold.  But then we allow Christ into our hearts and He washes our sins as white as snow.

“Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” Psalm 51:7 (NLT)

Then we enter our springtime.  With Christ, a new life begins inside of us.  As God rains down His love over us, our roots drink it up to the core of ourselves and buds shoot forth.

“I will bless them and the places surrounding my hill. I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing.” Ezekiel 34:26  

“In days to come Jacob will take root, Israel will bud and blossom and fill all the world with fruit.” Isaiah 27:6

As we begin walking in our new life with confidence in our God, those buds begin to open.  We now enter our summer.  Our lives become full and our faces shine toward the Son.  Life still goes on all around us, storms come and go, rain falls, kids climb all over us, others find a safe place in our branches, but no matter the circumstances - our roots are strongly planted, our branches are spread out wide, and we reach to the heavens above, looking to the one who grew us.  “Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.” Psalm 34:5 (NLT)

Then there comes a day when we finally enter our fall.  God’s greatness shines through us in glorious splendor. “But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ's triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume.” 2 Corinthians 2:14 (NLT)  Our color isn’t one-shaded anymore, but a beautiful display for all to see.  We find out that as beautiful as our green was, there’s more to life.  There’s a place where we live through Him and His Spirit.  “Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory.” Romans 5:2  Life is still going on - storms are coming and going, rain is falling, kids can still climb, others can still find safety, our roots are still planted, we are still the same tree - but now, we are a light.  A brilliant light that stands out among the others. "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:14

“The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.”  Proverbs 4:18

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12