I can remember as a little girl how I could smell and feel fall as it approached. The hot Georgia summers often felt unbearable as we became lethargic from the heat. We would try to escape to cool places: under a shade tree, wading bear-footed in the branch, finding a cool dark room, sitting in front of the box fan - but the exhausting heat followed us, suppressed us. So you can image how we loved the cool fall mornings when they arrived! Donning our sweathers for school and breathing in clean refreshing air. There was an excitment in the atmosphere as we awaited this new season in our lives. The anticipation of change was our deliverance.
It is easy to fall into complacency and apathy. Life can be suffocating and exhausting. We can allow stress to control us, and suddenly we find life out of control. There appears be no place to restore our hopes and dreams. Nothing satisfies. We may even question our faith or quesiton God. There is no relief...are you there? Have you been there? I have. But I have discovered that IF we have the desire, a fresh beginning and complete wholeness is waiting for us, no matter where we find ourselves in life.
It really is simple. The Lord gives us a fresh beginning and brand new start - daily. It is such liberation to know that once I acknowledge my sin or weaknesses, God washes His forgiveness and grace over me, instantaneously!! I wonder at times why I refuse God's gifts and His love only to remain in my state of turmoil. Looking back, I can see why the Lord refers to me as His sheep. It is either stupidity or pride that keeps me in the pit. I have to be willing to admit to what I have control over and what I don't. I have to take responsibility. And then surrender to God what I can't control. And that is where I find my sanctuary.
No matter what is going on around you - if you are at the place of wanting to be real and wanting true transformation and change, it can happen! The freedom we have in Christ is greater than anything we have in this life. It won't be easy - ridicule, persecution, doubt, unforgiveness from others (or even self), may be the troubles that persist. But during these times when we feel alone and scared, God promises to be with us in the heat of life. Right there with us. All we have to do is cry out to Him.
This summer has been a hard one for me. I have had to go through a period of darkness - waiting and suffering in loneliness. But it has "forced" me to look at my life and evaluate what is really important. And the realization is - nothing is more imporatant to me than my God and Savior. He has proven Himself faithful when I am not; He passionately loves me when I am unlovable; He has not given up on me with His patient pursuit; He has given me grace and courage to walk ahead into the unknown; He has not let me down. Not once.
God can use the oppressive heartaches of life to bring about a change in us. Through those things He can bring restoration and a fresh beginning to our hearts and lives for His glory. We just need to wrap His forgiveness, grace and power across our shoulders - then we are free to enter into new season of life. Remember to breathe.
2 Corinthians 4:16 (The Message)
"So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace."
