Pastor's Ponderings, May 9, 2016

Celebrate The New Season In Your Life

During the first weekend of May 2016, my eldest grandson graduated from college!  On the day before the graduation, a dear family friend retired after 44 years in education.  However, I remember, as if it was yesterday, eagerly looking forward to kindergarten. Now with college graduates and retirements around me, truly I am in a new season in my life. Israel Houghton put things in perspective when he sang, It's a new season, it's a new day. A fresh anointing is flowing my way. It's a season of power and prosperity. It's a new season coming to me.

In the Bible the writer, in the book of Ecclesiastes, wrote that there was a time and a season for all things (Ecclesiastes 3:1).  Some seasons or activities are over for us and we must make the effort to put aside regret about what did or did not happen.  Rather than cry over missed opportunities, failed relationships, or paths not taken, we should know that God has a divinely set time for everything in our lives. A writer once wrote, “Trust Me, I never Lose; I either win or learn!” We should focus on what comes next and struggle to be successful in our new season learning from the mistakes of the past (Philippians 3:13-14). 

The Bible instructs us to make full use of the time period that we have been given (Ephesians 5:15, 16).   We should find out what God wants us to do in this time and avoid disobeying Him (Ephesians 5:17).  Today is a brand new time in our lives. We have the privilege of beginning anew to live a fresh new phase while pleasing our God who holds our times and seasons in His loving hands.  Let us celebrate our new season.

Ecclesiastes 3:1
New International Version (NIV)

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

Philippians 3:13-14
New International Version (NIV)

13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,
14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 5:15-17
Amplified Bible (AMP)

15 Therefore see that you walk carefully [living life with honor, purpose, and courage; shunning those who tolerate and enable evil], not as the unwise, but as wise [sensible, intelligent, discerning people],
16 making the very most of your time [on earth, recognizing and taking advantage of each opportunity and using it with wisdom and diligence], because the days are [filled with] evil.
17 Therefore do not be foolish and thoughtless, but understand and firmly grasp what the will of the Lord is.