Day 19: Derek Ressa
“During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven and said: “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are His. He changes times and seasons; He deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him. I thank and praise You, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power, You have made known to me what we asked of You, You have made known to us the dream of the king.”” Daniel 2:19-23 NIV
In my journey in the Christian life, I have found that there are spiritual seasons that come and go that are often analogous to the weather seasons of the year.
First, there's the Summer season, which is warm and bright and exciting, full of activities and memories with loved ones that you reflect on as some of the best moments of your life. Spiritually, in this season, your faith is one that burns bright, where a testimony is found around every corner and God is moving in your life in a way that you can only know it's Him working.
Next, there's the Autumn season, where the weather gets a little bit cooler and you start to sense that things are slowing down, with nature passing from life into the end of life but doing so in a brilliant and magnificent way. If you've taken a drive on a late October day you've experienced it. Spiritually, you're coming off the high of the season before but still enjoying a contentment and peace through the Spirit that comforts and encourages you even though circumstances in life may be changing or challenging.
Then comes Winter, where the cold temperatures and short days and the stillness of life (or apparent lack thereof) makes you wonder how anything can survive. This is true in difficult moments, struggles in living out the faith, having losses and hurt that come from a loved one passing away or a broken relationship, or unexpected experiences that shock you to your core. In these difficult times you may find yourself questioning yourself and God's plan for your life. Why did you let this happen to me, Lord? But then there are days in those times where you hear birds still chirping and you see animals scurry and you realize that Winter is not a season of inactivity but of preparation for what is to come. And you realize that walking through this season is actually a time of great spiritual growth for you.
Lastly, there is Spring. There is a promise of something new and exciting, where the ground thaws, the days get longer, and warmth begins to arrive slowly but surely. And like the soil bursting with life, there is a newfound enthusiasm and excitement for what God is doing in your life and in the life of others, and the growth and maturity experienced in those seasons of Autumn and Winter are giving birth to a fresh and energized active Christian life.
As I reflect on the above and the Scripture from the book of Daniel, as the Lord revealed to him in a dream information that would change the course of his life and be used by God in a time and place that was unexpected, I take heart and joy in knowing that no matter what season of life you're in and, especially after going through a difficult one myself, I need to rest as Daniel did in the fact that God has always done what is right, what is good, and that He loves me and knows what is best for me, right?! “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
The Lord our God has all power, all wisdom, and all knowledge, knowing what I need before I need it. And even more beautifully, He knows when I need a spiritual summer, autumn, winter, or spring season. I now know that He will absolutely use every single one to build in me the character of faith so that I can be a messenger of His kindness, love, goodness, mercy, and hope that comes from knowing Jesus, Himself a Man of Sorrows, and one that understands what it's like to go through all the ups and downs that seasons bring.
Yet, as the Lord of the universe who went through total darkness and separation from God the Father, He came out victorious over sin and death so that I can experience eternal life and life to the fullest right now, no matter what the season! Take heart, my Grace family, and know that God is good, all the time, and all the time, God is good!
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Romans 5:1-5 NIV
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank You truly for all the seasons of life and all that they bring and for the growth and blessing that take place in them. Help us to know that You have a plan and a purpose for our lives and that everything that happens is in Your Will and that You want the very best for us as we seek to love You with our whole heart and share Your gift of love and grace and peace with others. Amen.
In my journey in the Christian life, I have found that there are spiritual seasons that come and go that are often analogous to the weather seasons of the year.
First, there's the Summer season, which is warm and bright and exciting, full of activities and memories with loved ones that you reflect on as some of the best moments of your life. Spiritually, in this season, your faith is one that burns bright, where a testimony is found around every corner and God is moving in your life in a way that you can only know it's Him working.
Next, there's the Autumn season, where the weather gets a little bit cooler and you start to sense that things are slowing down, with nature passing from life into the end of life but doing so in a brilliant and magnificent way. If you've taken a drive on a late October day you've experienced it. Spiritually, you're coming off the high of the season before but still enjoying a contentment and peace through the Spirit that comforts and encourages you even though circumstances in life may be changing or challenging.
Then comes Winter, where the cold temperatures and short days and the stillness of life (or apparent lack thereof) makes you wonder how anything can survive. This is true in difficult moments, struggles in living out the faith, having losses and hurt that come from a loved one passing away or a broken relationship, or unexpected experiences that shock you to your core. In these difficult times you may find yourself questioning yourself and God's plan for your life. Why did you let this happen to me, Lord? But then there are days in those times where you hear birds still chirping and you see animals scurry and you realize that Winter is not a season of inactivity but of preparation for what is to come. And you realize that walking through this season is actually a time of great spiritual growth for you.
Lastly, there is Spring. There is a promise of something new and exciting, where the ground thaws, the days get longer, and warmth begins to arrive slowly but surely. And like the soil bursting with life, there is a newfound enthusiasm and excitement for what God is doing in your life and in the life of others, and the growth and maturity experienced in those seasons of Autumn and Winter are giving birth to a fresh and energized active Christian life.
As I reflect on the above and the Scripture from the book of Daniel, as the Lord revealed to him in a dream information that would change the course of his life and be used by God in a time and place that was unexpected, I take heart and joy in knowing that no matter what season of life you're in and, especially after going through a difficult one myself, I need to rest as Daniel did in the fact that God has always done what is right, what is good, and that He loves me and knows what is best for me, right?! “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
The Lord our God has all power, all wisdom, and all knowledge, knowing what I need before I need it. And even more beautifully, He knows when I need a spiritual summer, autumn, winter, or spring season. I now know that He will absolutely use every single one to build in me the character of faith so that I can be a messenger of His kindness, love, goodness, mercy, and hope that comes from knowing Jesus, Himself a Man of Sorrows, and one that understands what it's like to go through all the ups and downs that seasons bring.
Yet, as the Lord of the universe who went through total darkness and separation from God the Father, He came out victorious over sin and death so that I can experience eternal life and life to the fullest right now, no matter what the season! Take heart, my Grace family, and know that God is good, all the time, and all the time, God is good!
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Romans 5:1-5 NIV
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank You truly for all the seasons of life and all that they bring and for the growth and blessing that take place in them. Help us to know that You have a plan and a purpose for our lives and that everything that happens is in Your Will and that You want the very best for us as we seek to love You with our whole heart and share Your gift of love and grace and peace with others. Amen.
Posted in Boast in the Lord \\\'25
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