SEASONS

Interesting how a place of blessing during one season can become a place of opression in another and vice versa.  At the end of the book of Genesis we read that Joseph's trajectory of life was a God-setup.  He was lead to be the 2nd in command in Egypt where he was given all charge of the land by Pharoah.  Imagine that!  If you read his story you'll know this guy was done wrong on so many levels and by many people, even family members.  Yet he persisted strong in character, integrity and faith; steadfast all the way.  He's encouraging.  Had he not all these qualities and suffered through all those situations, perhaps he would not have been elevated to a position where he was able to help his family (yes, the same family who plotted against him) and his people, the Israelites.



We then read in the beginning of the book of Exodus that Joseph and all this generation passed and a new Pharoah had taken the throne, one who knew nothing of or cared nothing about Joseph.  This new king felt threatened by the Israelites as they increased in population and might.  He took to oppressing and mistreating them.  Look at that!  Egypt, formerly a place of rescue and benediction; now a place of enslavement and exploitation.  The same place on the map.



For me, the take away here is that our lives revolve around seasons.  We are not meant to stay in the same season, in the same place, in the same situation, forever.  I believe some things are ordained by God to be lifelong, like a covenant of marriage, a bond between a parent and a child, a one-on-one relationship with God.  These are meant to be forever but many times in this complicated and unhealthy (in all manners) world they are short lived.  But aside of those, seasons turn.  Long seasons.  Short seasons.  Never the less, they are seasons, not meant for forever.  With God's leading, we can recognize when to turn the page, when to start a new chapter, when to die off (figuratively) some characters and when to introduce new ones.  Key words: with God's help.



Just like earthly seasons, the early signs of imminent and certain change begin to appear; a brisker morning, an earlier sunset, colorful leaves.  If we ignore the signs, we will live ill-equipped for the season we are actually in.



There is so much to be said about this but for the sake of brevity...FEAR NOT, God is in your season and in between your seasons.  This is good news, people!  He never forsakes us.  Call it your wilderness or call it your promised land, He is there.  Hold His hand and walk.  Don't look back except to recite your testimony of faith.  Seasons, changes are good and necessary.  Embrace and make the best of them.  When you come out of a season, you'll know why it was good and why it was necessary.  ❤

Keeping the faith,

FeatherPen & Ink