"But I trust in you, Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me."
Psalm 31:14-15 (NIV)
"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end."
Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV)
As we approach Pentecost Sunday, consider that God, who is outside of time, keeps time so delicately. He keeps the timing of the seasons and the universe, even keeping the outpouring of the Holy Spirit for a particular moment in time.
We live on the other side of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and we can see that we need God and His timing. Even the sun and the moon obey God’s timing (Psalm 104:19). Along with creation, when we know what season we are in and trust to God’s timing, we are going in the right direction.
Consider God’s timing in using a whale to redirect a wayward prophet (Jonah), in using a wicked ruler to position the saviour of His people in that ruler’s family (Moses), in the long-awaited Messiah arriving to a virgin mother, in the middle of a census, under a murderous regime.
We are not all in the same season at once, but God delights in every season, not just the fruitful ones. He delights in the times of pruning back, the new beginnings and the seasons when it looks like nothing is happening. So, what do we do in a new season?
"Trust in the Lord completely, and do not rely on your own opinions. With all your heart rely on Him to guide you, and He will lead you in every decision you make."
Proverbs 3:5 (TPT).
God is not a God of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33) and you can ask Him for wisdom (James 1:5). The three questions you should explore with God are:
- What can I change? God gives us skills and boldness and we can make our plans (Proverbs 16:9). Are there open doors, opportunities, new habits or connections for our new season?
- What can’t I change? I can change myself and my reactions, but I can’t change other people and their actions. God can help you in these situations so give Him your burdens. Sometimes all you can do is brace for impact, hold or wait. But God is always with you in those moments (Isaiah 43:2). God is not interested in impressing us, He is refining us and does His best work in a dead end (Psalm 112:7).
- What is God changing? In a new season you might be surprised at how you are changing. He changes us: Being a Christian means we are always changing -being transformed. The hindsight of God which will one day be ours is a beautiful promise (John 13:7).
God sustains the seasons of the universe and He will sustain you. You can never have spring without winter, nor God’s salvation without surrender. May our prayer be “God would you change me to sustain me in this season so I fear not and trust in you”.
SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT
- What are some of the seasons you have been through with God?
- What season are we each in now? Is it a new season?
- We can all take some time to consider the questions for ourselves, but how can we support each other with the things we cannot change?
- Pray for any people in your world who are in a hard season, and for opportunities to share the hope that God’s presence in trouble gives us.
