In All Seasons

When I prayed about the surgeon that I would need to repair my complex abdominal hernia from the prior surgeries, I prayed that God would make it clear who to do the work. We saw a couple of surgeons at very well-known hospitals and I didn’t get a sense of “knowing” or feeling confident. I started to wonder if God would make it clear or if I’d just have to pick the best based on facts.

Although I know that God is not a God of confusion, I also know in some areas we have to take “steps of faith” and sometimes it doesn’t feel crystal clear when you step out. The interesting thing that I have found is that when I really check in with inner peace as I pray, even if to the world something doesn’t make sense, to me, I can feel in my spirit that it’s right. I believe God gives us wisdom and a sound mind and we need to choose carefully, but He is glorified when we stop and wait and trust and move in His peace.

Even the idea of traveling to Tennessee to see this surgeon for a consultation was a bit of a leap of faith. “The world” said to me “but you are in surgery central! You can’t find someone in LA?” But, my husband had the same sense that did about this. We needed to go. When my friend, Erin, whom I’ve never met, referred us to this surgeon, she said “Jen, the Holy Spirit’s alllllll up in this one.” I have a very sound-minded husband but he also has faith.

As I read my devotions today on the Holy Spirit, the verse came up from Acts:

He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or seasons the Father has set by His own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:7-8

I blew right through the first part and went straight to the part about power. Wait, stop. It is not for me to know the times or the seasons……THAT was something I didn’t digest the first time. We don’t get to find out God’s timeline or the season we are in or even how long it will go on….but Jesus followed that with the statement that we will receive the power of the Holy Spirit and then we will be His witnesses.

Many people I’m praying for are going through seasons that they just want to be over and done so they can “get on with life.” Stop and consider that this is part of God’s timing and under His authority and it is IN this season that you have the Spirit’s power and you should be a witness of Him.

I am the first to acknowledge that I would like the seasons to change when I think they should, but the best part of embracing the season you’re in, is your faith and trust grows and you see it from a totally different perspective. This season for me of slowing down when I had thought it should be a fast-moving season for On Fire is so precious to me. The time that I can spend reading and writing is critical to His plan, I’m sure of that. For you, what is the season of your life right now? How can you see it as God’s perfect timing for you? What could you see Him doing in your life, despite the unknown?

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

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

Blessed Friday!

jennie