All because the Most High God gives His command.
Winter gives way to spring. Spring gives birth to summer. Summer sunshine sets the forest ablaze with the coming of fall, and fall lays down for winter's rest. The rhythm continues and the cycle spins on.
All because the Most High God gives His command.
The Lord opened my eyes to see something beautiful this week - something from His perspective regarding life cycles. I was walking along our mountain road in a shower of falling leaves. I stopped to allow Blue a minute to check out the whereabouts of the nearest chipmunk. As I waited for him, I looked up at the canopy of trees sheltering me - the very canopy releasing the golden shower. Brilliant colors clung for another moment, perhaps another day, before spiraling into their free-fall. Bare branches stood in their wake, naked and vulnerable, hunkering down for the winter's chill.
The naked, vulnerable, hunkering down came after the glory.
The restful dormancy came after the glory.
The life sustaining root-growing came after the glory. In the winter's chill.
Is it possible that the moments of glory - of unspeakable joy, hope, and peace - are meant to sustain us through the winter's chill? Like the leaves ablaze with a prism of color, our moments of glory feed our spirits. But, like the leaves whose tree severs them so roots will grow, does the Lord end the seasons of joy so the roots of our faith will grow and sustain life?
Or, consider this...
Is it possible to hold fast to the joy of the glory-moments, yet find purpose in their ending? Rather than lamenting the winter season, perhaps in its rest, we should find a quiet glory.
A quiet glory...
"[He gives us] beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that [we] might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified" ~ Isaiah 61:3.
In the quiet of winter's chill, the noise of blazing glory fades and our ears open to the One who loves us from everlasting to everlasting.
That He might be glorified.
In us.
Father God, You are indeed beautiful and we love You so. You are Holy. Your love is beyond comprehension. Thank You for Your love and for Your purposes in all things. Open our eyes that we might see You in our midst and open our ears that we might hear Your sweet, sweet whispers of love, comfort, wisdom...whatever our soul needs. We desire to glorify You in all things. Use us, Lord. Mold us and shape us for Your glory. In Jesus' Name I pray, amen.
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That's why He made seasons :)
ReplyDeleteYes! And that's why they are so important, each and every one has a purpose.
DeleteHi Nan! I love the questions you pose. Why are we so overwhelmed sometimes with the glory, and at other times, completely unaware? That's what I wonder.
ReplyDeleteBut I do hope that I can remember those times of awe in the dry seasons. It will help me to keep hope alive. A quiet glory...I love that image :)
Have a wonderful weekend,
Ceil
Thanks Ceil. I love that image too. I once read (I don't have a clue of the source :/ ) "Don't forget in the dark, what the Lord showed you in the Light". Isn't that beautiful? Sortof reminds me of the "quiet glory".
Delete