"Unwrapping" the Seasons.

“Unwrapping” the Seasons.

Summer is gone.

I’m not sure I’m ready to say goodbye to the flowers, green leaves, sunny days at the beach or the freedom to enjoy so many outdoor activities. The seasons come and go without any concern of whether or not I’m ready. I’ve got to adjust my wardrobe, my plans, and my expectations.

As I contemplated the changing of the seasons I called to mind C.S. Lewis’ “The Screwtape Letters”

“He [God] has balanced the love of change in them by a love of permanence. He has contrived to gratify both tastes together in the very world He has made, by that union of change and permanence which we call Rhythm. He gives them seasons, each season different yet every year the same, so that spring is always felt as a novelty yet always as the recurrence of an immemorial theme.”

We were made for both change and permanence and we experience both in our careers, relationships, homes, and day-to-day experiences. However, regardless of the fact that change is a natural part of life, we sometimes fight against it. Whether we choose change or whether it comes unexpectedly, it can be hard to leave behind that which is comfortable and step into something new. We don’t like being pulled out of our comfort zone – we want that which is familiar, we want to feel settled, we want to reclaim our losses. We get stuck in our ways and fail to take hold of new opportunities. By doing this we miss out on experiencing life the way God designed it.

When change comes how do you respond? Are you focusing longingly on the past, dwelling on that which you no longer have, or are you thankful for the previous experiences and able to embrace the future with open arms? Often times the problem with moving forward lies in our thinking. We focus so much on the comfort of permanence that we lose sight of the blessing of change.

What is necessary is a change in perspective.

     

 What would happen if we not only learned to accept change but if we actually viewed it as a gift 

that has yet to be unwrapped?

Consider the current change in season.

“Unwrapping” the gift of fall means choosing to focus on the changing colors of the autumn leaves, the crisp chill in the air that makes you feel alive, the crunching of the leaves as you walk through the park, and opportunities to enjoy pumpkin spiced lattes and football.

Here are a few things to consider when experiencing a new season of life:

1.     Gift #1: An Opportunity to Grow
Change stretches us. It pushes us past our limits and into places where we sometimes feel uncomfortable. Although we might be quick to think this is a bad thing, if we adjust our perspective we can begin to see how this presses us on to maturity.

2.     Gift #2: An Opportunity to Depend on God
We enjoy life when it’s simple and convenient because it’s easy to get through on our own. We don’t usually prefer the help or assistance of others; we like to be independent. Change is beautiful in that it calls us into deeper relationship with our Heavenly Father and allows us to reflect on the permanence and consistency of His nature and character – the very things that give us hope when everything around us seems unstable.  

3.     GIFT #3: An Opportunity for Adventure!

Change is potent at keeping away the boredom and monotony that we sometimes experience throughout the day-to-day occurrences of life. New experiences have the ability to make us come alive. Learn to be present in each new experience. Let your senses be activated, take it all in and enjoy the freshness that comes with a new season.

Viewing change as a gift frees us to move through life with an excitement about the unexpected adventures, challenges, and changes we experience along the way.

What are some ways that you can learn to view change as a gift?
What are the blessings that might come as you walk into a new season of life?
What gift do you have that is waiting to be unwrapped?

Start “unwrapping” it and explore the adventure that awaits.