Seasons of Change

Saturday was the official first day of the Autumn Season. My daughters and I put out our fall decorations which is a wonderful tradition for us. We decided to make a new tradition and buy a new decoration every year.

Some of our new Fall decor!

We love Fall, it is such a beautiful time of year. Leaves are changing into wonderful colors and falling from the tree. The weather is cooler and it's a time for comfort, sweaters, football, fall decorations and everything pumpkin. Pumpkin, latte, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin spice, pumpkin creamer, pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, fried pumpkin, pumpkin cocktail...wait I'm starting to sound like Bubba Gump. The point is pumpkin everything!

Fall also means it's a time for change and even though the trees are letting go of their leaves we may not want to let go of the past or the things that we need to change in our lives. Whether it be sins we need to let go, or hurts from a past or moving on to where God has called us, we may not want to let go and accept the season of change.

We obviously need to let go of our sins that Jesus has come to set us free of, if only we would repent and let His perfect salvation have its work.

We need to move past hurts and pains from the past. Forgive and let go. It's much easier on us when we do.

But what about those seasons of change when God calls us out of our comfort zone and to places and opportunities unknown and quite scary to us? That's not so easy.

I've felt the call from God to be more welcoming to new members or visitors at church, visit those who are sick or shut-in, to teach Bible classes and to speak at women's functions, all of which I have felt are way outside my comfort zone and would make me anxious. For God did not give us a spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7 God has called me to let go of those fears and anxieties to let them fall to the ground like an old, dead leaf and obey Him and His will. In doing so I've seen His faithfulness and rewards and you will too.

Serving within the church is a change we can make this fall. We need to be doing our part to make the church a properly functioning body of Christ. Don't be afraid of the call or too lazy to do your part. Being a Christian is so much more than showing up for services. Faith without works is dead as James 2:17 tells us. It may require change, it may require sacrifice, it may require time, but the reward will be worth it in the end.

It's good to remember when we are serving in any capacity to work for the Lord, even if it's out of our comfort zone as Colossians 3:23-24 tells us, Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

We can become tired and weary and scared of doing good or things that are not comfortable to us or that may not come naturally. God has an answer for that as well in His word. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9.

The ultimate goal here is to bring glory to God. If that calls us away from sitting on our comfy couch in our fuzzy, orange striped socks then we better put down that pumpkin spice latte and do what the Lord has called us to do. (Sorry-not sorry if I'm stepping on the toes in those fuzzy socks). But, I'm also talking to myself here. We all need to be ready to serve wherever God calls us. It will be worth it in the end when you here God say, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!" Matthew 25:21

Fall is a time for change. Don't let the leaves continue to change throughout your life and miss opportunities right in front of you to serve the Lord.

I have a quote on my on my bulletin board next to my desk. It's a picture of orange leaves changing in the fall and it says, "When the seasons change and the unknown waits quietly up ahead, I remind myself of the truth. The Lord is with me. He is my protector. I am not alone, I don't have to be afraid." It makes this season of change and those times I'm called to go where the Lord sends much easier knowing He is my protector and He is with me.

Are you ready for that season of change and to heed the call where God is calling you? You don't even have to change your sweater or fuzzy socks for this mission.