STANDING

We are just winding up harvest season here in Michigan. The trees were so beautiful in their autumn color but now they are already looking bare. The seasons come and go quite fast throughout the year. But growing up in New England, I have always loved the changing seasons and the change of activity it brings to our lifestyle. As I have gotten older, I have noticed that as the seasons change, whole different batches of memories are stirred up in me. Some are memories of happy times and some of difficult, challenging times.

“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV

Regardless of what comes at us throughout the various seasons of our life, we want to stand firm because our identity is secure. As believers, we keep standing through all the seasons that come our way physically, emotionally, and relationally because we know that the fruit of all our efforts is Christ’s alone to produce. Sometimes regardless of all our planning, purposing, strategizing, and laboring, we just do not see the fruit the way we expect to see it. We tend to struggle and wonder why.

But there is more encouragement for us to keep standing on God’s Word when we are not seeing exactly what we had hoped for and expected. Even when some unexpected changes come and challenge us in new ways.

The apostle Paul encouraged us: “Whatever happens, keep living your lives based on the reality of the gospel of Christ. Then when I come to see you, or hear good reports of you, I’ll know that you stand united in one Spirit and one passion – celebrating together as conquerors in the faith of the gospel.” Philippians 1:27 Passion Translation

The Apostle Paul will not pay us a visit, but other believers and unbelievers are watching our lives. We stand firm because our identity is secure. We keep standing because the fruit is Christ’s alone to produce. We don’t have to stand alone.  We can fellowship with other believers and encourage one another. Our ability to respond with hope and in steadfastness is based on the solid ground of our eternal standing in Christ and all that He has accomplished and purposed for us. It goes way beyond today, tomorrow, this season in the natural or in our personal life.  

We all pass through seasons in the natural and in our personal lives. It is up to us to decide how we will stand in each one. The Bible has encouragement for whatever we face. We can dig into it and find solid ground and encouragement to stand on when things are changing and unexpected events come into our lives.

What perspective will help you enjoy the seasons of your life more?