DTOTD – Seasons
Seasons come. Seasons go.
That is the phrase and saying that we say about life. Have you ever used that phrase in a conversation with anyone?
Sometimes, that can bring a sense of peace to those that are working through a hard time or maybe even someone who is a season of plenty.
The interesting thing about that phrase is that it also pertains to our discipleship process.
In a conversation yesterday, along with a few others from across the country, a conversation centered around serving and what it means and how it is beneficial to our becoming like Jesus.
In this conversation, I was struck by something that was said by the leader of the cohort. He said this, ” People must serve to be discipled.”
Strong statement.
However, that statement is one that I would truly stand by. But…..
That statement does not mean that if you have a season of life come about that does not allow you to serve or is not the right time, then that season is for you to step away.
Jesus came to this earth to show love and grace and truth and to serve others, ultimately to give his own life as a sacrifice for ours on the cross.
The Gospel of Mark states in chapter 10, ” The son of man came not to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many.”
We continually see Jesus serving and teaching and serving and teaching.
But there is something about Jesus’ life that can sometimes get overlooked. That in reality might not be nearly as long as what we think about it, but there are times when Jesus need to have a moment of rest or retreat from the continual serving that He did.
Multiple times in the Gospel we see Jesus retreat to a quiet, desolate or place of loneliness to be alone with his heavenly father. He would go to be quiet and to pray and to reset his heart.
In our lives, we all have those seasons. Where we feel an immense pressure to serve or succeed or to do things. But in those seasons we also seem to feel the weight of serving more and more.
Jesus said this in Matthew 11: ” Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
When you find yourself in a season where you are overwhelmed and feel an immense burden of responsibility……maybe it is time to take a season of rest.
I was once asked the question, ” Brendon, are you having fun with what you are doing?” The question came at a very weird time in my life, one that I was not ready for or expecting. However that question led to one of the darkest but yet life giving seasons of my life. The follow up to my answer, ” I think I am.” was this….” That’s good. Because if you are not having fun with what you are doing, then it might be time to take a step back and find the next thing God has planned for you.”
It takes a lot of courage and patience and prayer to follow that guidance to take a step away. Especially if you are taking a step back to reconnect with God in a way that you have not had time to do so.
But if you do find yourself in a season of stepping back, do not fill the time with other things.
Fill the time that you used serving, with a chance to run to Jesus and allow him to embrace you and give you the rest you need.
Season come. Seasons go.
Jesus’ peace and rest is always available.