Monday, October 27, 2008

Seasons

We all (Well those of us well into our 40's and beyond) remember the song Turn Turn Turn made famous by The Byrds:

To everything (turn, turn, turn)There is a season (turn, turn, turn)And a time for every purpose, under heaven A time to be born, a time to die A time to plant, a time to reap A time to kill, a time to heal A time to laugh, a time to weep To everything (turn, turn, turn)There is a season (turn, turn, turn)And a time for every purpose, under heaven A time to build up,a time to break down A time to dance, a time to mourn A time to cast away stones, a time to gather stones together To everything (turn, turn, turn)There is a season (turn, turn, turn)And a time for every purpose, under heaven A time of love, a time of hate A time of war, a time of peace A time you may embrace, a time to refrain from embracing To everything (turn, turn, turn)There is a season (turn, turn, turn)And a time for every purpose, under heaven A time to gain, a time to lose A time to rend, a time to sew A time to love, a time to hate A time for peace, I swear its not too late

Seasons are finally changing in southeast Texas, the political season is almost over, the Christmas season is almost here. As the seasons change in the natural, the seasons in our Christian walk change.

Just because you were called to teach 7th and 8th grade Sunday school for the last 5 years does not mean you are called to teach it until you drop dead or Christ returns whichever comes first. Ministry callings change according to the season of our lives. If you are caring for a loved one - a spouse, a parent, a baby - that is ministry!

Ask the Lord where you are supposed to be, what you are supposed to be doing and how you are supposed to do it. Check in with Him frequently about your ministry. You do not want to become stuck in a spiritual rut and miss your calling and prevent someone else from ministering in their calling.

Let the words found in Titus speak to you:

A faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, and at his appointed season he brought his word to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior,

Look for Him in each season of your life. He is there. Stay in the Word, it brings life.

Love, Annette

9 comments:

luvmy4sons said...

Good message. Nothing ever stays the same. God does move us into different seasons of our life!

Anonymous said...

I'm singing as I write...(obviously over 40.) This is a timely reminder for me as I reconsider where He is calling. I have more freedom now and am starting to feel that nudge. Love, A

Karen said...

Good stuff! I also remember a quote, "the need is not the Call." Too many times people respond because they see a need, not because they are called. The danger in this (other than wearing yourself out) is that the person with the call may not respond. So may we choose our seasons wisely! :)

love,
karen

connie said...

Thank you so much for this post, things are changing with the seasons of our lifes and our Christian walk...
Connie
GBU

Linda said...

That is one of the things I am so thankful for Annette - seasons. We women are especially blessed with the different seasons in our lives. Now that the nest is empty here - I am in a brand new season. It is exciting to see what the Lord has in store.

Wendy said...

Lovely post. I do remember the Bird's song: Turn, Turn, Turn. It seems ages ago.

Abba's Girl said...

Wedny, the song was ages ago...and truth be known, I think I have the 45 record I played on my record player which I could carry around like a suitcase.

xo Annette

Cheryl Barker said...

Annette, I love that you said that we don't have to stay in certain ministries until we drop dead. Definitely made me smile :)

Angela Baylis said...

I have to admit, I know the song well... and love it! I have questioned what my assignment is and I think I need to just accept it. It's just those little things that I don't think about often. I pray I point someone to Jesus every single day! Thanks for making me think today!
Much love,
Angie xoxo