Between what was and is to come…
This is my favorite time of year. Autumn is slowly moving in, pushing summer out. Summer is holding on for dear life, as the winds of fall begin to move in. We see remnants of the summer fun all around us, as we start to breathe in the fresh air that comes with this new season. The trees hold onto their green, but there are hints of orange and yellow popping out as they begin the slow transition to the winter season.
I feel like life is somewhat like that. We hang onto those wonderful memories, lingering there in the sweetness. Perhaps we are sitting with not so good memories, and staying there longer than we should. I have come to believe the Holy Spirit wants to breathe in newness and freshness and move me into a new season. Isn’t that life?
One season after another. Summer beautiful and glorious and full of laughter and joy. Summer struggles and sadness and tears. And yet there is always a new season to follow.
Sitting outside this morning, I found myself drawn to this one particular tree. All the way at the top was this tiny little bird. He kept flying back-and-forth on this one branch. I wondered what he was doing way up there at the top of the tree. I wondered why God had me focused on such a tiny little creature.
And now the dew of a new season is washing over us. Windows are fogging over. The grass is moist in the morning as it is replenished miraculously. The pool has drawn it’s cover-up over it, resting through the harshness of winter to come. Everything around us seems to signal the beginning of something new, again.
Are you in the end of a season of your life? Where is God leading you to move away from? Maybe it’s a relationship that no longer has the same meaning it once did. Maybe it’s a community in which you are no longer thriving or a part of? Maybe a habit or behavior that has proven to cause more harm than to be good for you.
Where is the Holy Spirit whispering in your ear and drawing you into a new season. Are you hearing something that you’ve always desired to do, and never had the courage to step into? Is there a relationship that needs mending in order for it to thrive again? Is there a new relationship that may lead you on a path of serving your community in a new way? A relationship for you to pour love into another life? Is Yahweh asking you to read the Word and see something different in it than you have ever experienced before?
We often talk about these things in spiritual direction. Spiritual direction is where two people come together, with the Holy Spirit to process what one is hearing and what the Divine is calling them into. Sometimes we feel like we are stuck and we just can’t hear things quite so clear. It’s always good to have a second person walking that walk with you, especially someone with some experience at asking questions and helping you to hear. But if you don’t have a spiritual director, look for resources that would help you discern what this new season might look like. Find an honest friend who isn’t afraid to walk with you. And walk with the Divine into whatever is up next. For even in the routine, there can be newness. I encourage you to look for that.
Peace and grace be with you
As we begin to walk away from the warmth of the summer sun and step into the cool breeze of autumn, I encourage you to stop and breathe in the Holy Spirit and exhale out that which must be let go. Breathe in the sweet air that surrounds you, and breathe out that which has passed. Breathe in the newness of the day, and relax and release that which is past and no more.
