Seasons- How We Need Jesus

The title of this post is beyond cringy- I know.

Seasons

What a cliche!

But as I thought about what else I could say, how else I could summarize life these past several months, there really was no better or more accurate description. Primarily, because I know that my circumstances are not eternal. They will change. They will not last forever.

I wanted you to know before you even began scanning this short (or maybe it will be long, I haven't decided yet) description of my circumstances that this is not the end of my story, or hopefully even the middle of my story. This time in my walk with the Lord is not a defining or everlasting experience.

One thing it absolutely is not- is cliche.

This past year, our family has faced several unexpected and life-changing circumstances. We are walking into a new season of health challenges, not only for me but also for two of my four children.

We are facing situations that will force my marriage to grow, challenge our parenting strategies, and require exceptional financial resources.

Yet we know that God is good and able to walk us through this.

It is our story, but it is also not unique.

I imagine that even if details are different, you are not so removed from the same sort of suffering or pressing that I myself am walking in this season of my own life.

What I want to do throughout this next season of the Grace Raised Podcast is to define what is true in all seasons. What is the anchor that is steady and consistent through the ebbs and flows of life?

This friends, is where our light shines.

It is where Jesus becomes visible to those around us.

It is when our walk becomes grounded and solid.

It is when we begin to draw on strength and truth in something fixed and unmoving.

It is the power that holds us and keeps us when our hearts are deeply engrossed in grief that feels unending, when our worries keep us awake at night, and the days feel unchanging, long, and hopeless.

It is this same miracle that enables us to believe and walk in two truths at once:

9 My eye is wasted from grief;

my soul and body also.

10 For my life is spent with sorrow,

and my years with sighing;

My strength fails because of my iniquity,

and my bones waste away.

14 But I trust in you, O Lord;

I say, "You are my God."

15 My times are in your hands

19 Oh, how abundant is your goodness,

which you have stored up for those who fear you

and worked for those who take refuge in you. "

Psalm 31:9-19

David understands that our circumstances can be crushing, and yet God is still good and faithful in the midst of it. Both are true, and it is critical that we learn to acknowledge both truths. It is tempting to focus only on one truth at a time, but this is a danger to our walk with the Lord. We do not need to Pollyanna our lives and refuse to acknowledge what is a reality of our circumstances; faux optimism does no one any good. But neither does our unrelenting focus on the details of our circumstances.

If we are going to be grounded, mature believers we must learn to be anchored on the truth that is unchanging, despite circumstances, and like the boat that moves as the waters of our circumstances change. We do not need to be capsized by every unexpected change in our lives, but we can remain buoyant and fixed on truth, whatever storms come our way.

This season, through many honest, real, and raw conversations, I hope to help you, my beloved community, become rooted in truth and learn how to navigate the waters of changing seasons. I hope to provide resources, reflections, and confidence as you walk out your faith in the ever-changing seasons of life.