God gave us different seasons. Not only in the nature but also in our lives, even in his presence in our lives. If we understand different times as seasons we are more willing to embrace them as they come.

But do we need seasons? I think we do. The change of a season in our lives or in the nature wakes us up to see that time flies, that everything is not same old, same old forever. It is so easy to cling to false safety nets. It is so easy to forget why we are here on earth. It is even easy to sometimes forget that God is mighty powerful!

If all we get out of Christ is a little inspiration for a few short years, we’re a pretty sorry lot. But the truth is that Christ has been raised up, the first in a long legacy of those who are going to leave the cemeteries. (1 Cor. 15: 19-20, MSG)

God’s aim is not to make us feel good. It can be a very nice by-product of faith. But God’s aim is to give us life and more life. Love and more love. Grace and more grace. We are not to forget why we are here or where we are heading.

There is a nice symmetry in this: Death initially came by a man, and resurrection from death came by a man. Everybody dies in Adam; everybody comes alive in Christ. But we have to wait our turn: Christ is first, then those with him at his Coming, the grand consummation when, after crushing the opposition, he hands over his kingdom to God the Father.(1 Cor. 15: 21-24, MSG)

If we look at life from the resurrection perspective we realize life is a season of preparation.

Think straight. Awaken to the holiness of life. No more playing fast and loose with resurrection facts. Ignorance of God is a luxury you can’t afford in times like these. Aren’t you embarrassed that you’ve let this kind of thing go on as long as you have? (1 Cor. 15:34, MSG)

We are called to wake up to the holiness of life.
We are called to open our eyes to what God is doing in this world.
We are called to do our part in God’s grand salvation plan.
We are called to get ready for the future.

I need to emphasize, friends, that our natural, earthy lives don’t in themselves lead us by their very nature into the kingdom of God. Their very “nature” is to die, so how could they “naturally” end up in the Life kingdom? (1 Cor. 15:50, MSG)

We can’t naturally end up in the eternal life. We need Jesus. We need grace upon grace. We need God’s resurrection power.

Just like winter is not what it looks like death is not what it seems. If the nature around us is wise to prepare for the upcoming winter we need to be wise to prepare ourselves to death in our lives. Because it’s not what is seems. Everything doesn’t just cease from being like the world wants us to believe. If we are in Christ our dead body is a planted seed, there is more life on the way!

With all this going for us, my dear, dear friends, stand your ground. And don’t hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort. (1 Cor. 15: 58)

Christ is risen – risen indeed! With all this going for us, my dear, dear, friends, stand your ground, embrace Christ and what he is doing in the world. Let’s not let God’s grace go to waste. Let’s celebrate life and the Giver of life! Alleluia!

 

Gracious God,
Be praised forever and ever!
Your plan of salvation is beyond our wildest dreams.
Forgive us that we sometimes forget how powerful you are.
Make us holy as you are holy.
Don’t let us forget that this life is a season of preparation.
Show us what you want us to do for your glory.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: How is God preparing you for eternity?

Be bold! Be strong! God is with you! Be open! Be alert! God is in action!

Image courtesy of Brandon Johnson.
This post is part of One Word at a Time: Seasons blog carnival and “What was on my heart Tuesdays!