There is something about fall . . . a hint of something more . . . and yet . . . it is a time of preparing for a dormant season. As the day gets shorter . . . trees begin to get ready for winter . . . a time for trees to rest.
Seasons . . . summer to fall . . . fall to winter . . . and winter to spring . . . reflects our own life. The thing is . . . our life is a work-in-process. During the winter seasons of our life . . . it can seem like everything that matters has died . . . but the reality is that it is a rest phase . . . preparing for something more . . . spring. The prophet Isaiah wrote to the exiled people who had thought they would live in a dormant season forever.
To grant those who mourn in Zion,
Giving them a garland instead of ashes,
The oil of gladness instead of mourning,
The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting
So they will be called oaks of righteousness,
The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified. (Isaiah 61:3).
Giving them a garland instead of ashes,
The oil of gladness instead of mourning,
The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting
So they will be called oaks of righteousness,
The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified. (Isaiah 61:3).
There is always something more . . . a time that there will be gladness instead of mourning. How can we know this is true? The love of God abounds within our life.
And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment Philippians 1:9
Those who let the love of God flow out of their life . . . find living with purpose.
Life as it is . . . becomes a transforming process through the power of God:
Beauty for ashes . . .
Joy instead of mourning . . .
Praise instead of despair . . .
For the beloved of God are created to be like strong and graceful oaks for His own glory.
Beauty for ashes . . .
Joy instead of mourning . . .
Praise instead of despair . . .
For the beloved of God are created to be like strong and graceful oaks for His own glory.
Prayer: Heavenly Father . . . Guide us . . . let us see the season we are in.
God gives life. When we experience devastation and destruction, God will breathe life back into us. Yes, it is a process . . . but . . . when we seek God . . . there will be a day that life as it is . . . will be exchanged for something more . . . and there will be beauty, joy, and praise with a new strength and grace.
Refuse to succumb to life as it is in the midst of devastation and destruction .
Pray.
Seek God.
Willingly go through the transformation process to become strong and graceful.
Rejoice . . . for life as it is . . . through the power and presence of God.
Refuse to succumb to life as it is in the midst of devastation and destruction .
Pray.
Seek God.
Willingly go through the transformation process to become strong and graceful.
Rejoice . . . for life as it is . . . through the power and presence of God.
Learning with you to KICK START the day . . . in every season,
Pastor Kerrie
(interAct written by Kerrie Palmer © 2009 All Rights Reserved)
kpalmer@hillchurch.com ~Church on the Hill~700 N. Hill Rd.~McMinnville, OR 97128~503.472.8476 ~www.hillchurch.com~ interAct