MORNING GLORY 04
“Be cheerful with joyous celebration in every season of life. Let joy overflow, for you are united with the Anointed One! Let gentleness be seen in every relationship, for our Lord is ever near. Don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell him every detail of your life, then God’s wonderful peace that transcends human understanding, will make the answers known to you through Christ Jesus.” -Philippians 4:4-7 TPT
Good morning, friends – Or should I say afternoon…ha! It’s one of those days when there are NOT enough hours in the morning. But I’m glad you are here all the same! I came across these verses yesterday. It never ceases to amaze me how God’s Word speaks life into our every day – exactly when we need it. These words from Philippians brought so much encouragement to me, and I wanted to pass them along to you.
Winnefred Austin Seasons of Faith calendar’s anthem is in every season, the Lord is faithful. I love these verses above because they invite us to be cheerful with joyous celebration in every season. We can celebrate because He is faithful! His Spirit opens the doors of our hearts to celebrate every season even while we wait for doors to open for us – whether we have much to celebrate, or we don’t feel like it’s much of a celebration at all. Each season of life we face has purpose: an invitation in His name and a seat at the table. It’s an invitation to show up and celebrate what we have here and now. Say it together – while we wait, let’s celebrate!
God’s common thread of faithfulness through seasons and generations weaves everything together. We don’t have to feel pulled in different directions in times of change because we are woven to the One who never changes! He is glorified and honored when we come to Him. He turns our worry to worship – His peace and comfort free us from fear.
In these days my friends and I laugh in nervously-excited wonder about where we could be this time next year. (Recent college grads, ya feel?) When that times comes, many of the questions we ask, prayers we pray, needs we seek, fears we face will come to pass with more than we can imagine. Even if the outcome is different than expected – we eagerly and hopefully anticipate. So if you are in a season of waiting or transition, God is working in you. He is making a way through the wilderness and every answer points to Jesus. He is our true north – the pioneer and perfecter of our faith! Where we are in a year from now will be vastly different from today. And we don’t want to miss God in these in-between moments of growth and transition. The more we live in gratitude the more and more we find to celebrate. So let’s celebrate the day today and all to come. Let’s celebrate these moments, big and small. Let’s celebrate Jesus.
Alone with none but thee, my God,
I journey on my way.
What need I fear, when thou art near O king of night and day?
More safe am I within thy hand
Than if a host did round me stand.
(Columba, c.521 – 597)
