There are many words that can describe spring, but for me, the word that best describes it is “unsettled.” Spring is a season of extremes . . . beautiful skies and perfect weather one day and then sudden storms the next. Nothing is predictable and even though it is a beautiful season, it can leave our plans in a state of flux.
Our lives often mirror spring. During times of change, whether planned or unplanned, welcomed or not welcomed, we can find ourselves in unfamiliar terrain. Our routines are disrupted, and we don’t know what to expect. The weather patterns of our lives shift or change daily. Gone are the predictable, comfortable, and secure days of routine, purpose, and meaning.
Less than a year ago, I retired from thirty-six years of teaching, and while I was looking forward to the freedom retirement would bring ( A LOT!), I have to confess, my life was “unsettled” for a good portion of this year. The job that had filled my days and had brought purpose and significance to my life was now gone, and I had to work at finding my footing again. I needed to develop a new routine of sorts and a new avenue through which to find purpose and significance.
True, as Christians our significance comes from who we are in Christ, and our ultimate purpose is to serve and worship Him, but we also need human relationships, and our serving is most often through earthly venues, so when one opportunity ends, we must look for another.
As always, I have learned that waiting and listening to God is better than becoming restless and worried. Therefore, I have grounded myself in Psalm 119:105: “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
We don’t have to know all that is in the future. We just need to remember that our future is in His hands, and if we listen to Him, that future will unfold one step at a time.
Our lives often mirror spring. During times of change, whether planned or unplanned, welcomed or not welcomed, we can find ourselves in unfamiliar terrain. Our routines are disrupted, and we don’t know what to expect. The weather patterns of our lives shift or change daily. Gone are the predictable, comfortable, and secure days of routine, purpose, and meaning.
Less than a year ago, I retired from thirty-six years of teaching, and while I was looking forward to the freedom retirement would bring ( A LOT!), I have to confess, my life was “unsettled” for a good portion of this year. The job that had filled my days and had brought purpose and significance to my life was now gone, and I had to work at finding my footing again. I needed to develop a new routine of sorts and a new avenue through which to find purpose and significance.
True, as Christians our significance comes from who we are in Christ, and our ultimate purpose is to serve and worship Him, but we also need human relationships, and our serving is most often through earthly venues, so when one opportunity ends, we must look for another.
As always, I have learned that waiting and listening to God is better than becoming restless and worried. Therefore, I have grounded myself in Psalm 119:105: “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
We don’t have to know all that is in the future. We just need to remember that our future is in His hands, and if we listen to Him, that future will unfold one step at a time.
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