New Season

A new hockey season is upon us! I remember the excitement about a new season as a kid - wondering who I’d be playing with, excitement for new possibilities, and joy of playing the game. Some hockey players are starting with new teams in new cities where more than just the teammates are new. For some, it’s more than a new season of hockey - it’s a new season of life - the closing of one chapter and the beginning of a new one. Just as we have new seasons of hockey and new seasons in life, we also have new seasons in our faith. While some seasons bring more change than others, all seasons have some things in common - they bring change, new challenges, and new champions.

Change is inherent with a new season - the leaves become colored, spring flowers bloom, cold and snow come, or warm weather and sunshine in summer. In a new season of hockey, our teammates change, the team we play for may change, we may have a new coach, or play in a new arena. But in a new season of faith, it is us who change. Some may be made new for the first time (2 Corinthians 5:17), some may be joining a church for the first time (Hebrews 10:24-25), or others it may be a renewed focus to love God through obedience (John 14:15, Ephesians 4:22-24).

Each season brings new challenges. As hockey players, our skills will be challenged as we compete, and our emotions are challenged as we have a great win or a tough loss. Our faith, it seems, is challenged continuously (John 15:18-19, 1 Peter 4:12). But challenge brings growth if we persevere. James 1:2-4, "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Everyone wants to be the champions - to excel at their pursuit and, through hard work and challenge, to persevere and win the prize. Every year, there is a sense that our time is now - the opportunity is here, and we are ready to grab hold of it - whether it’s the Stanley Cup in the NHL or a state championship - there is a singular focus. In faith, we are to make Jesus Christ our singular focus, and Him the prize we pursue. To gain Jesus is to become a champion - victory over death and gaining eternal life! The time is now to be a champion in Jesus. For He says, “At the acceptable time I listened to you, and on the day of salvation I helped you.” Behold, now is “the acceptable time', behold, now is ‘the day of salvation’ -2 Corinthians 6:2. But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. - Romans 8:37.

In Minnesota, the autumn air is setting in, the new hockey season is beginning - are you ready for a new season?

• What season of faith are you in? Is it time for a new season in your faith?
• What challenges have you faced in your current season of faith?
• What challenges will you face in your next season?
• How will you be a champion in the coming season?