Spring! Can you believe it?
2015... is literally only months out from closing. We're looking at new season fashion in the shops, seeing new seasonal produce overtake our café menus and advertising targeted towards that bikini body that we would love. Where did those 9 months of the year fly by to?
As a choose to slow down and take a good look at my year in review and outlining those areas that I'd still like to tackle before the silly season hits I found myself reading Philippians chapter 4 verses 8 – 9 (MSG) which says,
"Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies."
Too often when we get to a season or time in our lives, we can focus on what has been, what was or even what could have been – yet we have every opportunity to stay focused on our forward motion. Sometimes life can deal us a hand that isn't the most ideal and maybe even people that hurt us due to their actions, words or even unconsciously let us down.
New season
We should as adults and Christians mature over time to forgive people, love people but also learn from the past by not letting that take us out in the future; especially when it was choices we could have made differently. Now, that's wisdom 101.
In the bible, we can see that Joseph was given dreams of God's plans for his life and he in turn (understandably so) was confident in this – however his brothers were not so excited. His 10 older brother's conspired against the boy and sold him to slaves. The story goes on, and the slave traders took him into Egypt and sold him to Potiphar, one of the Pharaoh's officers.
Whilst Joseph served his master well and grew in favour, he once again hit a wall when Potiphar's wife accused him of trying to seduce her when the truth was the other way around! This resulted in Joseph being placed into prison. Despite these challenges, Joseph found favour even in prison and was asked to eventually interpret the Pharaoh's dream and was rewarded by a role in which he oversaw the lands of Egypt. Full story in Genesis chapters 37–42.
During Joseph's various environments, seasons and roles – I am sure that he would have felt much like at some point in time. A little misunderstood, misread, mistreated or even perhaps, just mistaken.
Embrace Faith and hope
While we cannot change our past, we are each called to embrace our present with faith and hope!
In Philippians chapter 3 verses 12 – 14 it puts it like this,
"I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.
"So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it."
We must move forward with courage, not rushing things, yet not staying fixated on what could have been. God has a plan and a very good one at it, just because we haven't seen it all, in it's entirely I know that it is one worth pursuing and I for one don't want to give up on it – even if it takes months, years and perhaps even multiple seasons.
After all, it is spring – what better time to seek the new growth God has for us.
Meenal Chandra is a Sydney based writer who is choosing to spring into the new season.
Meenal Chandra's previous articles may be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/meenal-chandra.html