I’m sitting on a porch right now, gazing into a forest of tall autumn-clad trees. It’s a myriad of warm color from mustard to burnt orange to rustic red. There’s something about the fall that gives you a sense of calm, fills your lungs up with breath – maybe one you had been holding in for awhile, and brushes across your face with the wind of the spirit saying, “It’s going to be okay.”
Fall is often seen as a time of change… and change is challenging. With every season closed is the hope of a new beautiful thing, sometimes one that we pine for and welcome, but the transition in between is often very very challenging.
Why is that? Often in transition, we see something end without knowing what will come next and that is an uncomfortable, if not scary, thing. I’ve not always experienced that. In some ways, transition has happened very smoothly for me. The next thing was right there, waiting for me. In other ways, it has not. I think that sometimes God allows us to linger in transition for a reason. There’s a specific work that can be done in that season that cannot be done otherwise and is most likely a work that needs to be done in order for you to enter the next one.
I can honestly say, that I’m thankful that God makes us ready. That he teaches us hard lessons, and develops things in us during uncomfortable, messy seasons. I’ve just recently reached the other side of one of those seasons, that seemed to drag out for years of trusting and yearning, and the gift God’s given is so overwhelmingly good, that I’ve said to myself these things: This is SOO worth it. Every single moment of waiting was worth this. Did I wait long enough?? Am I ready? I’d wait this long all over again to have something this good.
It’s true, I really would. I think that I preach the same message over and over again when I write because there are a few things in my life that the Lord has really seen that I understand. Trust is one of them. (Read this post about saying yes to allowing God to work in your life). I am wholeheartedly convinced that TRUST is one of the most important things to the heart of God. That it is one of the most valuable, and when I say valuable, I mean touches and moves the heart of God, the most. Do you want to know why? This is what I’ve learned, TRUST IS VITAL TO LOVE, and what God wants most from his children is an exchange of love. It’s the reason why he created us. He had a heart-wrenching longing, a need, a passionate desire to share His love with other beings.
“That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.”
One of the simple, most important things that we can know about love is that it is a two-way exchange. The love of God is unconditional for us. It is present for unbelievers and His followers alike. However, when you love someone you want them to feel your love! What purpose is it after all, if the woman you love cannot experience the depth of what she means to you?
The gateway to this exchange is trust.
Is that monumental friends? I think it is.
Jesus wants you to feel His love. And you know what? When you allow God to do the work of trust in your heart and begin receiving His love, love in your heart towards Him (and others! He is the source of love for everyone else!) will happen in response! God is the maker of love. HE IS LOVE. He is where we receive love, learn how to receive it and give love.
Let Jesus do the work of trust in your heart. Let him build that with you. Let him show you that he’s trustworthy. That he sees beyond your imperfection and your fears and loves you still. Wholly, deeply, entirely!
Embracing uncomfortable places may be your way to reach that.
Relax, you’re in good hands. Beautiful things are happening right now.
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