Seasons, Part 3

Recommended books:  Necessary Endings, by Dr Henry Cloud

Unlimiting God, by Richard Blackaby

The Cross and the Switchblade by David Wilkerson et al.

Examples of people entering a new season of life

Read Luke 1:26-38 (the angel visits Mary)

Life will never be the same for Mary!  She is surprised to be entering a new season in her life.

Other Biblical examples:

- Joshua, entering the land of Canaan

- the disciples after Jesus’ resurrection

Real-life examples:

- becoming an empty-nester

- starting a new job

- becoming the parent of young adults

- becoming a grandparent of young adults

- adult son moved back in

- a new car with GPS

How do you prepare for  a new season?

- get a mentor

- appreciate the people in your life, right now

- accept your new season

- discern what advice is related to your situation

Biggest danger when entering a new season

- that you will deny it or resist it

- that you choose to remain in the old season

Appreciate the season you are in right now, but be ready to embrace a new season.

Pruning

- cutting back branches that aren’t any good anymore.  This leads to vitality and energy going back into useful (blooming) branches.

When entering a new season, some things that were useful in a previous season might be a burden to you in the new season.

Some examples:

- old friendships sometimes need pruning

- clothes.  Face the fact that you are never going to be a size 2 again.

- discern between clutter and useful stuff

Reminder – getting rid of stuff you no longer need is a gift to your children!

Jesus said that if it is not a useful branch, chop it down and throw it in the fire. 

Three cheers for the fig tree, Bob K’s favorite biblical plant!

The Apostle Paul says that we died and now have new life in Christ.  But our tendency is to want to still let the old self live on.

Book:  The Cross and the Switchblade by David Wilkerson et al.

Final thoughts:

- new seasons are inevitable in life.

- find someone to talk to – there is no doubt someone who has been through a similar season.

- sometimes it is impossible to prepare.