Hope for Every Season With Danny Gokeyഉദാഹരണം

Winter

Ecclesiastes 3:1 says “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”

Some seasons are easy to welcome with open arms. You wish they would last much longer, or never change. Some you could do without, and are ready to see them on their way as soon as they’ve come. But all are necessary and ordained by God to accomplish His purposes on the earth, as well as in our hearts and lives. Without sorrow, joy would not be so sweet. Without sickness, you would not learn to appreciate health. Without the cold of winter, you would not so welcome the warmth of spring when it finally arrives.

For a plant, life is not possible without first being buried and dying in the cold, hard ground. It is the very imagery that Jesus used to describe His own death, burial and resurrection in John 12:24, explaining to the disciples, “Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” The planting of a seed is not the end, but just the beginning. So, while you might feel buried right now, you can trust that God “causes all things to work together for good.” (Romans 8:28) and will use your pain to produce something greater, if you let Him.

The beauty of winter comes in the surrender. Just like we know that the days will be darker and shorter and colder, we know that there will always be dark, cold seasons in our lives. The question is; How will we respond? Will you bitterly resist the change, allowing resentment to build in your heart about less-than-desirable circumstances? Or will you settle into the season, trusting the process and holding onto hope that brighter, warmer days are coming?

The ‘Wife of Noble Character’ in Proverbs 31:21 “has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes.” Because of proper preparation in the previous season, she and her family can embrace and rest in the winter. It may not feel like the most joy-filled or productive season, but it is still one of peace, rejuvenation and strengthening. Paul tells the Corinthians, “Perhaps I will stay awhile with you, possibly all winter, and then you can send me on my way to my next destination.” (1 Corinthians 16:6)

If you are in a winter season, let this be an encouragement to make the most of it. Even though you can’t see what’s going on under the surface, trust that God is still working. Press into what He is trying to teach and show you, and let it be a launching point into where He wants to take you in your next season!