Beloved,
Today (June 11th) was a display of variety of seasons! We are traveling in Colorado for two weeks, and we can’t decide exactly what season we are experiencing.
This morning Avery, Sterling, Havilah and I went skating/rollerblading/jogging along a sparkling mountain stream in blazing morning sunlight with short-sleeved shirts and summer clothes. This afternoon we traveled over Berthoud Pass to Grand Lake, Colorado, and experienced a freezing blizzard, hail and rain as we ascended and descended the 11,307 foot pass. It simply took our breath away to experience the dramatic change of climate as we traveled the switchbacks and made the steep climb up and over the Continental Divide to arrive in the picturesque mountain town of Grand Lake.
This is a rushing mountain stream covered in freshly fallen snow.
The storm passed and we sang outside in the gazebo in Grand Lake, but the storm wasn't over yet, and we had to quit in the middle of the concert due to rain. =)
We camped for the weekend at Winding River Resort, in this beautiful meadow that boasted spectacular scenery in EVERY direction! This was our sunset view that very same evening. I know you can't see them in this small view, but grazing in front of the tree-line is a herd of elk!
In Nebraska, the tulips and daffodils have finished their blooms for the year. Lilacs and peonies are fading, and the roses are in beautiful bloom. We’ve backed up a whole month by being in Colorado! The park in Grand Lake is boasting delicate daffodils and tulips, and the lilacs are barely budding. The roses have tiny, new leaves, and the peonies are sending up their thin, burgundy-hued legs. They are in a whole different season!
God’s Word speaks of lots of different seasons, too. “I shall give you rains in their season” (Lev. 26:4), “Like the stacking of grain in its season” (Job 5:26), “Can you lead forth a constellation in its season?” (Job 38:32), “He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season” (Ps 1:3), “He made the moon for the seasons” (Ps 104:19), “They all wait for You to give them their food in due season.” (Ps 104:27), “Even the stork in the sky knows her seasons.” (Jer 8:7), “And I will cause showers to come down in their season; they will be showers of blessing.” (Ez 34:26), “And when He (Jesus) came to it (the fig tree), he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs.” (Mark 11:13), “He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” (Acts 14:17)
If you live 500 miles in any direction from where I live, you are most likely experiencing a different season than I am experiencing. Chances are though, even if you live right next door, you are experiencing a different season spiritually than me, or most of the friends and family you encounter. Some of us are in a lush season of drinking up the heavenly outpouring of God’s wisdom and affection and fellowship, growing in understanding and harvesting the fruit of a season of hard work and dedication. Others of us may be in a desert region, parched and dry, longing for precious time with the Lord and aware that we are enduring a thirsty, unfruitful season. Some may be laboring through a planting season and savoring the anticipation of new sprouts and harvest a long way off. Still others may be praying through a stormy and intense season, hanging on through wind and hurricane, or frightening clouds obscuring the Son. It may be winter where you are, still and sparkling and beautiful, or cold and dark and foreboding.
If lightning is blazing and thunder is deafening, or summer flowers are peacefully smiling, know that any season is ordained of the Lord if you are making this journey as His child. We must be ready in season and out of season to know and trust His sovereignty. When the weather changes from sunshine to snow, we can retain our contentment in Him because He rules the seasons, on the Earth, and in our very personal lives as we abide in Him. As temperatures dip into the low 30’s tonight in Grand Lake, I am truly thankful for the variety of seasons that my Lord so deliberately orchestrates for me as I continue this precious journey that He graciously began with me!
“To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the heaven.” Ecc 3:1
Passionately serving Christ,
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