Seasons

 Good Morning All, 

Things are going well around here.  It's hot and it rains a lot, but that’s just “season appropriate”. On the plus side, we’re grateful that we don’t have bring in the winter insulation over the windows, check the antifreeze in the car, stock up on ice melt for the sidewalk and dig out the snow shovels.  

On top of that, we’re making progress in moving back into our house after nearly two years away, and Tony’s counting the days until his knee replacement, surgery, now scheduled for January 31st, the day after his 76th birthday.  In keeping with that milestone, he went to the doctor yesterday and got his “driver certification”, required by law in Australia for everyone over 75.

I think it's so special, as many of our fellow retired Baptist missionaries can appreciate, to still be included in our mission’s  “Missionary Prayer Calendar”, and to know that there are still many who read it and will remember to pray for Tony on his birthday. 

Ann Lovell is one of those we love to keep up with, and today I’m going to share (with her permission, thank you) a blog she wrote a few months ago. Hopefully it'll speak to you as it speaks to me ……

"When you were under the fig tree, I saw you", Jesus told Nathaniel in John 1 :48-50.

According to a sermon from Mark Becton several years back, in Jesus' day Jewish rabbis would sit under a fig tree when they were praying or meditating.  Essentially Jesus told Nathaniel, "When you were seeking God, I saw you"

We all need a fresh word from God now and then, a renewed sense of calling, a new understanding of his purpose in the world and in our lives.  It's good to sit under the fig tree.  Since there are no fig trees where most of us currently live, it looks like we'll have to settle for an oak tree - or a front porch or maybe our favorite chair.

Sitting here today, we can see evidence of the seasons changing.  God does not see 'change' but He sees His plan, where not a leaf falls or a twig buds without His knowledge.  I learned a few years back that He doesn't necessarily keep the leaf from falling but He does see it fall.  He still hears.  He still leads.  Sometimes where we land is actually better than the place we left.

In seasons of change throughout my life, I've prayed 2 Chronicles 20:12 many times.  "We don't know what to do but our eyes are on You".  It is a cry of dependence and trust.

In challenging seasons, Jesus says to us "When you seek Me under the fig tree (or the oak tree of the favorite chair), I see you.  This is an affirmation of His grace and sovereignty.

When we seek God, He sees us, and He makes Himself known to us, just as Jesus made Himself known to Nathanael.  "When you seek me, you will find Me when you seek Me with all your heart", God said through Jeremiah (Jeremiah 29:13).

Whatever this particular season brings your way, I hope you can rest, knowing that God sees you and He will make Himself known as you seek Him.

Enjoy the season, wherever you are,

Marsha