Seeing God in the Changing Seasons of our Lives

I saw a leaf fall from a tree outside my window this morning and it reminded me that another season is passing—a new one on its way.

I thought back on the seasons of my life—formative years that laid the foundation for marriage, parenting, the empty nest and now, the senior years.

The questions I ask myself as I think back on these seasons of life are:
1. What are some of the important lessons I have learned through these Seasons?
2. As I have walked through these Seasons, what have I done that will count for eternity? What purposes were fulfilled?
3. Every day I am given is a gift from God. How have I invested those ‘gifts’? More importantly, do I see God’s involvement in each of the happenings in my life? And, am I leaving a heritage for my children, grandchildren and others as they pass through on their journey?

I am very aware that the seasons of this journey are not about me—they’re about God and His purposes. I am currently reading “The Grand Weaver” by Ravi Zacharias—how God shapes us through the events of our lives. Or we might refer to them as the seasons of our lives. He says:

The stages of the refining process of the diamond suggest many applications for our own lives. The most important is to know that God shapes the precious life He saves and does so for a special purpose.’

I was deeply challenged a few years ago when I heard the message of the song, “Leave a Well in the Valley”. Here are the lyrics:

To the valley you’ve been through
those around you must go too
down the rocky path you travel they will go.
If to those facing your same trial
you’ll lend the secret of your smile
you will help them more than you will ever know.
Chorus:
Leave a well in the valley
your dark and lonesome valley
for others have to walk that valley too
what a blessing they will find
the well of JOY you’ve left behind
leave a well in the valley you go through.
Blessed is the man who has learned to understand
He’s to be the hand of God to those in need
then all the tears that you have shed
with God’s help become instead
a precious balm for those hearts that bleed.

Throughout the seasons of my life I pray that others will find the well of joy I’ve left behind; and that my tears will become a precious balm to hearts that are hurting.

Another more familiar song is Steve Green’s “Find us Faithful”:

We’re pilgrims on the journey of the narrow road
and those who’ve gone before us lead the way
cheering on the faithful; encouraging the weary
their lives a stirring testament to God’s sustaining grace.
Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses
that has run the race not only for the prize
but as those who’ve gone before us,
let us leave to those behind us
the heritage of faithfulness passed on through godly lives.
After all our hopes and dreams have come and gone
and our children sift through all we’ve left behind
may the clues that they discover and the memories they uncover
become the light that leads them to the road we all must find.
Chorus: O may all who come behind us find us faithful
May the fire of our devotion light their way
may the footprints that we leave,
lead them to believe
and the life we’ve lived inspire them to obey
O, may all who come behind us find us faithful.

I am more convinced than ever that this life is about seeing God in each season of my life; and trusting Him to keep me faithfully walking with Him as an example for others who will follow. May He find us all faithful!!! Without Him it’s impossible.

Find Us Faithful by Steve Green