Autumn is now upon us and we thank God for giving us a good summer this year (albeit a little late!), for the warmth of the sun and the beautiful blue skies; and we celebrate all these wonderful gifts from God through our Harvest Festivals which we celebrate in our churches at this time of year; decorating them with produce and provisions from God himself.
But rapidly advancing upon us is the ‘busy season’ when it is so easy to get stressed with shopping for Christmas, then there’s tidying the garden and preparing it for next spring etc. and we forget that God gave us a season for everything, not just seasons of varying weather, but seasons of life.
We will all experience times of joy and happiness, but also times of hardship, perhaps an illness affecting ourselves or someone in our family. We might feel angry with God for something which goes wrong or when someone dies, particularly at a young age. People ask “Why has God done this?” Please be assured God does not single out anyone to hurt, annoy or embarrass them. Things go wrong in our bodies. Sometimes we know why, but often we don’t, and the medical profession can’t always give us the answer.
If you are reading this and are feeling that life’s not good just now, remember that Jesus came to give us God’s promise that eventually we will have eternal life with him if we believe; an eternity where ‘there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.’ [Revelation 21:4, NIV]
Being Christian though, is not just about having reassuring, comfortable thoughts about the next life, it’s also about today.
Life is hard and believing is not an insurance policy or a promise that life will be easy and plain sailing. But we are promised that when difficult times come, God is with us. Isaiah 43:1-3a says;
But now, this is what the LORD says—he who created you, he who formed you: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour.’ [NIV, adapted]
So, remember, no matter what happens over this next season, and beyond, God is with us, and walks alongside us.
Blessings,
Pastor Steve