Lilies of the Fieldphoto credit
Consider the lilies of the field,
how they grow:
they neither toil nor spin;
and yet I say to you that even Solomon
in all his glory
was not arrayed like one of these.
Matthew 6:28-29
Consider the lilies of the field,
how they grow:
they neither toil nor spin;
and yet I say to you that even Solomon
in all his glory
was not arrayed like one of these.
Matthew 6:28-29
Yesterday Gary spoke on a topic that was very close to my heart. The title of his meditation was "The Seasons of Life," a devotional discussion on the book of Ecclesiastes.
About a few years ago, God began teaching me the importance of looking at my life in terms of seasons. The life we live here on earth is not a series of random events or disjointed circumstances. Indeed, there is a divine connection to our years - from the moment we were conceived, to our dying breath, there is a purpose.
Gary was still speaking, but at the back of my mind I was seeing the beauty and meaning behind all that has transpired in my life these past years.
There are no chance happenings when I look at my life in terms of seasons.
In everything God works together for good...
What the enemy intends for harm, God is able to turn around...
No weapon forged against me can prosper...
Daily I have the choice.
To live my life from the perspective of a list of things to do. A goal to accomplish. A mission to live up to.
Or to look at my life as the unfolding of events from the perspective of what Paul says in Ephesians 3:20. God is
About a few years ago, God began teaching me the importance of looking at my life in terms of seasons. The life we live here on earth is not a series of random events or disjointed circumstances. Indeed, there is a divine connection to our years - from the moment we were conceived, to our dying breath, there is a purpose.
To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven.
A time for every purpose under heaven.
~ Ecclesiastes 3:1
"Time" speaks of opportunity, and "season" speaks of an appointed time. And when the opportunity matches the appointed time, the resulting dynamic is powerful!Gary was still speaking, but at the back of my mind I was seeing the beauty and meaning behind all that has transpired in my life these past years.
There are no chance happenings when I look at my life in terms of seasons.
In everything God works together for good...
What the enemy intends for harm, God is able to turn around...
No weapon forged against me can prosper...
Daily I have the choice.
To live my life from the perspective of a list of things to do. A goal to accomplish. A mission to live up to.
Or to look at my life as the unfolding of events from the perspective of what Paul says in Ephesians 3:20. God is
...able to do exceeding abundantly
above all that we ask or think,
according to the power that works in us.
above all that we ask or think,
according to the power that works in us.
There is a right balance, of course. I work within the framework of intelligent choices and free will.
There is human wisdom, and there is God's revelation.
It is not entirely up to me, but neither is it entirely up to God!
Charlie Bridges has this to say:
My obedience, my willingness to work with God, spells the huge difference between success and failure in the eyes of my Creator.
Do I give God pleasure, or do I bring grief to His heart by the choices I make?
Jesus always pleased God, doing only what He saw the Father doing.
He always operated within God's time frame.
There are four hundred years of silence between the last book of the old testament and the first book of the new.
A time when nothing seemed to be happening.
It was a period of waiting, and learning to trust.
Then in the fullness of time, Jesus was born of a virgin.
In the fullness of time, God breaks the silence by speaking His living Word, His own Son.
These words touch my heart so deeply at this Christmas season.
The changing of the seasons was intended by God as an opportunity for rest.
Jesus brought true rest into the world when He came. He came to show the way to His Father's heart...the end of all frantic searching and ceaseless striving.
But His own knew Him not. His own received Him not.
Yesterday, I played the first Christmas carol for this season.
For many days I have been putting this off; in my heart was a reluctance to hear the songs that Ernie used to play at this time of the year. He had a wide collection of Christmas music -- classical, jazz, choral, traditional, opera, orchestra, modern. I was thinking that if I didn't hear any of his favorite music, I wouldn't be reminded of his absence in our lives during his favorite season!
Well, I could not put it off any longer. I began wrapping gifts yesterday morning, and Ernie always played Christmas music when I was wrapping gifts!
I took out Steve Green's Christmas CD, entitled Joy. Of course, the memories of past Christmases came flooding in, as the beautiful songs in this album penetrated the silence of our home...
...Joy to the World
...Hark! the Herald Angels Sing
...Angels From the Realms of Glory
...The Birthday of A King
Suddenly as one song began playing, it caught me off guard. It was the song Rest.
I had completely forgotten about this song! And yet it was a favorite of mine in years past!
As Steve Green began to sing, I stopped what I was doing, and listened to the beautiful lyrics and melody.
The words from Gary's sermon were still fresh in my heart. "Time comes to us only in the moment we have," he had said.
God wants to fill our moment with sacred meaning, specific experiences, content, and specific opportunities.
Many of us live lives that are so past- or future-oriented, we do not realize that we are missing the present tense...we are missing our holy moments.
Some of the seasons of life are not chosen. Like, we don't get to choose when we should mourn, but we can definitely choose when we will dance and laugh again.
We can choose to live in the season that we are given...
We are not victims of our circumstances. We always have a choice. Victimization is a waste of suffering.
As I listened to the words of the song, I sensed that I was in a holy moment. God was speaking life words to me.
This is your season of rest, He seemed to be telling me. This is your season of trust, of deeper faith.
This is your season of embracing my purposes for this stage of your journey. You will not always see the road ahead, but let my plans for you beautifully unfold before your eyes.
The next two songs continued to play...
...O Come, O Come Emmanuel
...Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne
and God was still speaking to my heart!
I am Emmanuel, the God who is with you in your seasons. Rejoice! Rejoice!
Is there room in your heart for me, for the plans and the purposes that I have in store for you?
Of course my answer was Y-E-S!
My God was giving me an invitation to rest in Him this season. How could I refuse?
I told Him, Yes, yes, indeed! O come to my heart, Lord Jesus...there is room in my heart for You. Come to my heart with Your fresh revelation! There is room in my heart for the new things that You want to bring about in my life!
Before I write the concluding words for this post, let me share the words of the song Rest, and a video version of it sung by the Salvation Army International Staff Songsters.
This noon we all had lunch at the Kai Sei Japanese restaurant to celebrate Tony's birthday. Tony is the youngest son of Sue, my sister in law. His daughter Kelah was with us, which made the celebration so meaningful.
Tony and his daughter Kelah
First Born, God-given, and Matthew at Tony's birthday lunch today
This evening our cell group had our Christmas party. We all came in green, and again, it was an evening of good food, games, gifts, and fun!
Almost every night this week and the next I will be part of one pre-Christmas celebration after another. On the 23rd our whole family - First-Born, God-Given, Forerunner, Worshiper and I - will be flying to Manila to join Obedient One and spend Christmas there as a complete family. This trip is in preparation for Worshiper and Chosen One's wedding on the 28th.
It will be a very busy time for all of us. After the wedding, there will be major changes and adjustments as Chosen One becomes an official member of our family.
I am just so grateful that God chose to speak specifically to me of what this Christmas means to me. I will hold on to this quiet rest in the midst of the hustle and the bustle. I will worship my Jesus as the Prince of Peace, and I will call on my God as my Jehovah Shalom.
The other day I was reading some posts of my blog friends that I had not visited in a long time. I was struck by what Saija shared, and I have decided to share it on this post as well.
How my heart connects to this story! Below is a beautiful picture of rock flowers...and pictures of the changing seasons all over the world.
There is human wisdom, and there is God's revelation.
It is not entirely up to me, but neither is it entirely up to God!
Charlie Bridges has this to say:
To everything there is a season,
a fixed time,
a predetermined purpose (of God) on which everything depends.
There is a season for every work of God.
My obedience, my willingness to work with God, spells the huge difference between success and failure in the eyes of my Creator.
Do I give God pleasure, or do I bring grief to His heart by the choices I make?
Jesus always pleased God, doing only what He saw the Father doing.
He always operated within God's time frame.
There are four hundred years of silence between the last book of the old testament and the first book of the new.
A time when nothing seemed to be happening.
It was a period of waiting, and learning to trust.
Then in the fullness of time, Jesus was born of a virgin.
In the fullness of time, God breaks the silence by speaking His living Word, His own Son.
These words touch my heart so deeply at this Christmas season.
The changing of the seasons was intended by God as an opportunity for rest.
Jesus brought true rest into the world when He came. He came to show the way to His Father's heart...the end of all frantic searching and ceaseless striving.
But His own knew Him not. His own received Him not.
---0---
Yesterday, I played the first Christmas carol for this season.
For many days I have been putting this off; in my heart was a reluctance to hear the songs that Ernie used to play at this time of the year. He had a wide collection of Christmas music -- classical, jazz, choral, traditional, opera, orchestra, modern. I was thinking that if I didn't hear any of his favorite music, I wouldn't be reminded of his absence in our lives during his favorite season!
Well, I could not put it off any longer. I began wrapping gifts yesterday morning, and Ernie always played Christmas music when I was wrapping gifts!
I took out Steve Green's Christmas CD, entitled Joy. Of course, the memories of past Christmases came flooding in, as the beautiful songs in this album penetrated the silence of our home...
...Joy to the World
...Hark! the Herald Angels Sing
...Angels From the Realms of Glory
...The Birthday of A King
Suddenly as one song began playing, it caught me off guard. It was the song Rest.
I had completely forgotten about this song! And yet it was a favorite of mine in years past!
As Steve Green began to sing, I stopped what I was doing, and listened to the beautiful lyrics and melody.
The words from Gary's sermon were still fresh in my heart. "Time comes to us only in the moment we have," he had said.
God wants to fill our moment with sacred meaning, specific experiences, content, and specific opportunities.
Many of us live lives that are so past- or future-oriented, we do not realize that we are missing the present tense...we are missing our holy moments.
Some of the seasons of life are not chosen. Like, we don't get to choose when we should mourn, but we can definitely choose when we will dance and laugh again.
We can choose to live in the season that we are given...
We are not victims of our circumstances. We always have a choice. Victimization is a waste of suffering.
As I listened to the words of the song, I sensed that I was in a holy moment. God was speaking life words to me.
This is your season of rest, He seemed to be telling me. This is your season of trust, of deeper faith.
This is your season of embracing my purposes for this stage of your journey. You will not always see the road ahead, but let my plans for you beautifully unfold before your eyes.
The next two songs continued to play...
...O Come, O Come Emmanuel
...Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne
and God was still speaking to my heart!
I am Emmanuel, the God who is with you in your seasons. Rejoice! Rejoice!
Is there room in your heart for me, for the plans and the purposes that I have in store for you?
Of course my answer was Y-E-S!
My God was giving me an invitation to rest in Him this season. How could I refuse?
I told Him, Yes, yes, indeed! O come to my heart, Lord Jesus...there is room in my heart for You. Come to my heart with Your fresh revelation! There is room in my heart for the new things that You want to bring about in my life!
---0---
Before I write the concluding words for this post, let me share the words of the song Rest, and a video version of it sung by the Salvation Army International Staff Songsters.
Rest
(Lyrics and Music by Phil McHugh and Greg Nelson)
rest
the Lord is near
refuse to fear
enjoy His love
trust
His mighty power
fills every hour
of all your days
there is no need
for needless worry
with such a Savior
you have no cause to ever
doubt
His perfect word
still reassures
in any trial
rest
the Lord is there
lift up your prayer
for He is strong
trust
He'll bring release
and perfect peace
will calm your mind
call Him
if you get frightened
call Him
with loving care
He'll lift the burden and you'll
rest
the Lord is near
refuse to fear
enjoy His love
trust
His mighty power
fills every hour
of all your days
rest
the Lord is near
refuse to fear
enjoy His love
the Lord is near
refuse to fear
enjoy His love
trust
His mighty power
fills every hour
of all your days
there is no need
for needless worry
with such a Savior
you have no cause to ever
doubt
His perfect word
still reassures
in any trial
rest
the Lord is there
lift up your prayer
for He is strong
trust
He'll bring release
and perfect peace
will calm your mind
call Him
if you get frightened
call Him
with loving care
He'll lift the burden and you'll
rest
the Lord is near
refuse to fear
enjoy His love
trust
His mighty power
fills every hour
of all your days
rest
the Lord is near
refuse to fear
enjoy His love
This noon we all had lunch at the Kai Sei Japanese restaurant to celebrate Tony's birthday. Tony is the youngest son of Sue, my sister in law. His daughter Kelah was with us, which made the celebration so meaningful.
Tony and his daughter Kelah
First Born, God-given, and Matthew at Tony's birthday lunch todayThis evening our cell group had our Christmas party. We all came in green, and again, it was an evening of good food, games, gifts, and fun!
Almost every night this week and the next I will be part of one pre-Christmas celebration after another. On the 23rd our whole family - First-Born, God-Given, Forerunner, Worshiper and I - will be flying to Manila to join Obedient One and spend Christmas there as a complete family. This trip is in preparation for Worshiper and Chosen One's wedding on the 28th.
It will be a very busy time for all of us. After the wedding, there will be major changes and adjustments as Chosen One becomes an official member of our family.
I am just so grateful that God chose to speak specifically to me of what this Christmas means to me. I will hold on to this quiet rest in the midst of the hustle and the bustle. I will worship my Jesus as the Prince of Peace, and I will call on my God as my Jehovah Shalom.
---0---
The other day I was reading some posts of my blog friends that I had not visited in a long time. I was struck by what Saija shared, and I have decided to share it on this post as well.
This summer someone gave me some beautiful pink flowers, and as I took them, I asked, "What kind are they?"
My friend answered, "They are rock flowers. They grow and bloom only on rocks where you can see no soil."
Then I thought of God's flowers growing in desperate times and hard places, and I somehow feel that He may have a certain tenderness for His "rock flowers" that He may not have for his lilies and roses.
~Margaret Bottome (Streams in the Desert)
How my heart connects to this story! Below is a beautiful picture of rock flowers...and pictures of the changing seasons all over the world.
Wilderness of Paran
Rain
Creek Scene in the Winter 
House English Sparrows photo by Deanne Fortnam photo taken from here
Look at the birds of the air,
for they neither sow nor reap
nor gather into barns;
yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
Are you not of more value than they?
~ Matthew 6:26
To my dear friends and loved ones: may you all have a blessed Christmas celebration, filled with quiet rest and new meaning!
As I re-read this post, I sensed God moving me to dedicate it to five specific blog friends: Amy and Matt, Saija and Leo, and Teresa (Too Many Heartbeats). God's thinking of you!
As I re-read this post, I sensed God moving me to dedicate it to five specific blog friends: Amy and Matt, Saija and Leo, and Teresa (Too Many Heartbeats). God's thinking of you!
22 comments:
I have often looked at life as seasons for much of what I have lived has mirrored the barren, the growing, the flourishing, the changing of nature's change. However, I never really considered season's as appointed times. I like that. A good reminder to this pondering heart especially now when winter seems to be my season (hence my last post). Chosen or not, I do not want to miss the holy moments placed in my life for such a time as this.
Shalom, my friend, and Merry Christmas
Denise
Beautiful post [as always]...I love the Book of Ecclesiastes. Of how it has both its practical and spiritual wisdom. As seasons change every time, even the futility of life is there for a purpose - to lead us to seek fulfillment and happiness in God alone. Our hopes should not be destroyed despite the feeling of emptiness in this life's journey, but should be directed instead to the One Who can truly fulfill it and give our lives meaning.
The verse "Be still and know that I am God" [Ps.46:10] came to mind as you stopped from wrapping your gifts when you heard the song "Rest" playing. The lyrics to that song is beautiful!
It is hard when you lose someone. But I'm thankful for this special season and hope that we have in Christ Jesus. A hope that goes beyond death...
God bless you sister Lidj and may you have a blessed Christmas.
This post is so beautiful and so meaningful to our lives as a whole, and especially so at this time of year.
To take stock of our lives and to enhance them in such a way that we grow Spiritually. Every word here is so meaningful, but one line especially popped out at me:
"We are missing our holy moments."
I think that is very true of my life as I was rush around and 'busy' myself with things that really don't matter in life. I need to make sure that I am operating within God's time frame as you stated.
And I love thinking of that four hundred years between the Bible Testaments as a period of rest and waiting, and joyful expectation, much like the Advent Season.
Thank you for sharing that beautiful song too, I had never heard it before. It really spoke to my heart as all your posts feed my soul.
God Bless you.
Love,
Eileen
This is another beautiful, moving post, Lidj.
The part of it that struck me was the part of not living in the past or future. At this time I'm especially guilty of that. My son will be coming home in 6 days and I'm doing this countdown. I know from experience that once he gets home, the internal countdown begins as to when he leaves. I need to enjoy the season of time that God has allowed us to have with him!
Will be feasting on all the wonderful spiritual nourishment you have here. Right now I have to camp out at these quotes
""Time" speaks of opportunity, and "season" speaks of an appointed time. And when the opportunity matches the appointed time, the resulting dynamic is powerful!"
"In everything God works together for good...
What the enemy intends for harm, God is able to turn around...
No weapon forged against me can prosper..."
"Daily I have the choice."
"Jesus always operated within God's time frame."
This post is so relevant for me... THANK YOU.... Keep praying!
Thank you for taking me on a beautiful journey with your family. It is always great to see their smiling faces.
I, too am seeking balance! Thank you for the beautiful reminder and also the reminder that I need to be finding rest in HIS arms.
Blessings, hugs, and prayers, andrea
Dear Lidj,
It is so true; Jesus is the reason for the season.
For so many years I've sat down on Christmas Eve (our big day of celebration), Totally empty, having spent all my forces and money on Christmas preparations, cards, gift, cooking, taking on responsability for every one to every one.
This year it struck me; I'm not in charge of everyone's happiness.
Jesus is the reason, let he be the focus.
So I've decided not to celebrate the birthdays of December, (mine, Gunnar's).
I'm enjoying concerts and watching old children Advent videos with Serina.
Even for the great feast I have ordered a ten course meal to take with me to my mother's.
I know that there is a time for every season.
This year I feel we have turned the course to reach a higher level.
I know we'll all have tears in our eyes when my brother will be reading the Luke 2 at our Christmas table. The gap after my father's readings will always remain.
But, like my brother said; this year it's a mellowed sorrow.
I hope for you that the pearl-row of good memories from Christmases with Earnie, will become not just a theme of sorrow, but the most precious jewels in your treasury.
A Blessed Christmas to you and your family.
From Felisol
Merry Christmas Lidj! I know when I walked the season of Jesus coming for my Mom, that resting and investing became so much more alive for me. Seasons....they have a purpose and a meaning. Love to you, Yolanda
My, my. I just went through a myriad of emotions on this post. From the call to rest (which can be harder than it sounds) to the delightful family pictures, and God's beautiful rock flowers (never heard of them!) You really have a way of bringing people into your world, Lidj. And what a beautiful world it is!
Lidj,
I truly love and remember you this Christmas season. God has bestowed upon me your perfect give of friendship and love. In the past year almost I have learned so much from you. The ability to love and let go, the ability to persevere in the midst of storms and to see faith restored even more than before. Once again in this post, you have taught me something, that we don't always have to be doing something. Sometimes we just need to rest and let God restore our souls!
Love and Hugs ~ Kat
you honour leo and i ... thank you! i will come back and read more carefully ...
may the Lord continue to bless you, as you give praise to Him!
You are such a sweet, sweet soul and I count myself blessed to call you my friend! Thank you, Lidj, for thinking of me. I truly appreciate it.
May your Christmas Season continue to be filled with wondrous celebration and amazing rest that only He can give.
{{HUGS}}
Teresa <><
http://toomanyheartbeats.blogspot.com/
Teresa <><
Lidj,
That's what He's been talking to me about.
Taking time for Him. To rest. Worship. Praise. Adore.
To ask for more of Him. And more. And more.
Thank you for this gentle reminder of what's truly important during this season.
And every season of our lives.
Thinking of you.
Sweet dreams.
This post is so timely. I can't put my finger on anything specific that spoke to me...yet I think the overall message is a continuation of some of what God has been speaking to me about.
More and more lately, as I share what He has shown me and as I read and listen to what He is speaking to others, I feel like we're all seated at a banquet, and He's encouraging us to partake, not only of the bounty He is serving each of us, but to add tidbits that those around us are sharing, for they all make a beautiful and powerful whole, that is strengthening us all to be the beautiful and powerful bride that He is making us!
"Jesus brought true rest into the world when He came. He came to show the way to His Father's heart...the end of all frantic searching and ceaseless striving."
This quote from your post sums up a revelation to many of your readers, including myself, that man has muddled up and made too much fuss over the wrong things during the Christmas season. Christ's humble beginnings, being born in a stable without much should be in the forefront of how we remember his birth ... for it was without fanfare he entered the world. And the lowly shepherds were informed first of his birth ... while they were at work ... This is a timely message, dear Lidj, to take time to reflect just Whom & why we celebrate ... and to keep it simple with out distractions. Hugs from across the sea.
Cathy
Good tidings of His joy to you and your family this Christmas
Thanks for your "dedication" to Amy and I! :) This past couple months really has been steep climb, so maybe that's why you felt moved on our behalf. Knowing that, and that you listen and pray for us, is priceless. Thanks you Lidj
Matt (for Amy too)
Seasons.
I'm in winter right now, but every now and again, I see and feel the blossoms of spring.
May God be close to you in this season as you reflect, remember, and celebrate the life you've been given.
peace~elaine
Lidj:
I loved this entire post! So profound - especially for me since we share similar backgrounds from losing our husbands.
I'm so glad that you put those CD's on - so you would be reminded of Ernie and what he loved.
God has shown me much about SEASONS as well - it's His way. Seasons are meant to last for 4 months give or take. I look forward to the new seasons of my life that He brings just like the change of seasons in the air.
For about a year now the Lord has had me re-reading my old journals and they are about 4 months back. Today I read the entry from August 18th. He seems to do that [wants me to look back] so that I can see how far He and I have come together. I can remember what 'state' I was in then - and see where I am now.
The REST part?? Well - that's the basking in His Presence in the moment. I liked what you said that some of us have our heads too much in the past or in the future and we miss the present. I really need to ponder that for awhile.
All I know is that God is sooo FAITHFUL and I will tell of His wonders as long as I draw breath!
Choosing JOY, Stephanie
"I have a choice..." I needed to hear that message today. And the story of the rock flowers was just beautiful. Thank you for sharing. Merry Christmas, Lidj! Keep choosing to rejoice in our Savior!
Beautiful and pure as always. A restful, peaceful, happy and loving Christmas and new year to you, Lidj.
Lidj,
It amazes me how our spiritual journeys run somewhat parallel to each other and yet we are so far away. I've been in Ecclesiastes too and meditating on a special passage right now that is helping me see how God grants contentment and helps me remember the divine blessings in life while I remain in the midst of very painful things (Ecc. 5:19-20).
I feel like that rock flower growing and yet have not quite begun to bloom. I needed the Rest song tonight and have taken the lyrics to meditate on in a test that is coming up for me this Christmas season. Your words are timely, true, and much appreciated. And your dedication to me and mine makes it extra sweet.
I long for the day of Christ's second coming to meet him face to face and then fellowship with you.
Hi, Lidj,
I probably won't be posting or visiting until sometime after the New Year, so I just wanted to stop by and wish you many Blessings for the New Year and I hope you celebrate a very Loving Christmas with your family and friends.
I'm so grateful that I came across your inspirational blog, it has helped my spirit so much.
It's been wonderful getting to know you, Lidj.
God Bless you.
Love to you,
Eileen
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