My first article published in Sagemont magazine for Sagemont Baptist Church, October 2019.
The Seasons of Change: Trust in God by Arnie Palyola August 22, 2019
“For everything there is a season,
and a time for every matter under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, ESV).
Solomon in Ecclesiastes ponders the pursuit of wisdom, and the meaning of life, and an understanding of why things happen in the lives of people, that “there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; this is God’s gift to man” (Ecclesiastes 3:9-12, ESV). This has been the course of the lives and thoughts of wise men throughout time. These words bear truth to people even today, that we will all have seasons of change, and ultimately a focus on God and living the righteous life is the course of mankind. Many changes would come to the people of Israel, even losing their homes and way of life so that knowing God and seeking his peace is the only way to live. Paul teaches in Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God, and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”
(NIV). Jesus says in Matthew 6:25; “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes” (NIV). This is not only faith in God, but trust in God in every situation, for our careers and our families. These verses hold the keys to freeing your life fron the chains of fear and doubt on your mind.
In Houston and surrounding communities, we have truly weathered the storms of the hurricane seasons such as Hurricane Ike (2008) and Hurricane Harvey (2017). (Today: March 3rd, 2020 we are facing a growing pandemic in the covid virus). Sometimes a difficult time in our lives signals change, a new season. We have to understand that not every season will make sense, but our faith can grow in these seasons. In Psalm 4:8 the psalmist states “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety” (NIV). When we are at peace instead of at worry, when we place our trust in God, one can then see what new things lie ahead in our future. Now is the time to give all our trust to God, to release all our worries to him and prepare for the new things he has in store for us. Psalms 18:30 states; “As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him” (KJV). When Jesus explains the parable of The Sower to the disciples, he tells them “But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown” (Matthew 13:23, NIV). This parable is intended to teach that when we have not built our foundation solidly in the word, we can experience stress and anxiety, but when we have built our foundation on the word, not only are we at peace, but we are productive. But furthermore, we are alert to God working in our lives. Trust and faith in God also comes in knowing our Lord Jesus Christ on a personal and intimate level. The Gospel of John begins;
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Thru him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:1-5, NIV).
This light lives in each one of us, we can be secure in our love and faith in Jesus that he is our light that overcomes darkness and will carry one thru the most difficult of changes in one’s life.
The Gospel of Jesus reveals the mysteries of God, so that in Christ we are redeemed of our sins to God and know him. We are forgiven of our sins, and our spirits are renewed, and we are transformed to a new life in him. There is no way around it, if you have accepted Jesus Christ, God is working change in your life, and you must be prepared to receive it. Isaiah 43:18-19 states “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!” (NIV). This is the good news! Be ready for change, it is exciting. Isaiah and Jeremiah and many of the prophets in The Old Testament were telling of the good news to come in Jesus Christ. The seeds in The Sower parable are the words of Truth in The Bible. James, the brother of Jesus states in James 3:17; “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere” (NIV). Like many of the stories in the Bible, God has a story he wants to tell about you. He just needs you to listen and be ready for it. Paul says in Ephesians 2:10; “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (NIV).
For many new believers, the Holy Spirit moves them to service in the church immediately. But for others, committing to Bible study and reading is crucial to developing what their purpose will be. God has a purpose for all of us. Each of our stories are unique, and each story must develop in God’s time; and yours. Each is a love story. Paul states in Galatians 5:22-23 “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (NIV). Change is inevitable. We can embrace our future and the changes to come knowing God has a plan, He is our Father, and he is in control of the universe. We can wake up each morning ready to face anything, with love, joy, peace, faithfulness and kindness. As we get to know Jesus Christ, we may seek to be like him. We must seek the Word and grow in the Word. Peter says of the word; “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good” (1 Peter 2:2-3, NIV) and Paul tells The Corinthians; “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18, NIV). Long for the word and contemplate the Lord’s glory that we may grow into salvation and be transformed into his image. I encourage you to sing every chance you get. Sing at Sunday service, let your voice be heard. Psalm 98 offers us to “Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him” (Psalm 98:1, NIV).
Paul states in Romans 8:28:
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28, NIV).
We can never truly understand how God works; it is beyond our grasp of understanding, but it can be pure joy to seek understanding. Certainly, one can come to know God and find their purpose by listening to God and embracing the changes. It can prove difficult for even the most devout Christian to understand the rise in shooting violence in schools and public places. In every storm, the Lord is our comfort. Psalm 28:7 “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him” (NIV). Now is the time to give all our trust to God, to release all our worries to him and prepare for the new things he has in store for us. It is important to note that Paul was in prison in Rome when he wrote the letter to the Philippians, telling them “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6, NIV). Paul’s heart was filled with the spirit and he was at peace when he wrote the next verse; “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7, NIV). Paul’s physical life would not be long, but his words live to teach us today, to bring us comfort and peace salvation in Jesus Christ’s name.
May all your days be blessed by the light of Life.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV).
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