As a season comes and goes, we prepare for it certain ways.
Spring cleaning, Christmas decoration prep and tear down, vacation planning. You name it, we prepare for it. We have our patterns for new seasons, and we prepare and wait in expectation.
Sometimes these seasons are new and exciting, like a new year, so we plan for hope and for joy and all that comes with the fresh beginning. Sometimes there are seasons that take us by surprise, like the moment you get off the phone from a life-changing call. Whether we know it or not, God is constantly moving and shifting us toward Him, and the season to which He leads us is something to prepare and wait in expectation for, too.
I’ve been reading the book Remember God, by the lovely Annie F. Downs, and she talks about this change of seasons. She discusses this idea: when we know a spiritual season change is coming, why don’t we treat it like we treat Christmas decorations? And for that matter, if we know change is coming in our lives, why don’t we actively choose to prepare our hearts and ears to hear from God? Why do we white knuckle the turn that we’re hurling towards? Why do we choose to sweep it under the rug and change when the wind changes?
Why don’t we get into the habit of hearing God’s voice, knowing that the upcoming season’s changes might become louder than a wind tunnel?
Just as a new mother “nests,” just as a gardener prunes, and just as we clean the house for a party, we must remember to expect and create room in preparation to season change in more ways than one. Jesus doesn’t need us to make room for Him, but He honors us when we do. The more we begin to recognize His voice, the more He will be a resilient anchor for us in what comes. This is not only crucial in the midst of trial and grief, but amid the most joyful seasons as well. Just like a perfect companion, the more we hear His voice the more we await it, knowing it will come.
In her book, Annie Downs also mentions a worship song from Bethel Worship’s album, Have It All, called “Spirit Move.” The song’s very first line says, “I feel it in my bones you’re about to move.”
That’s it. That’s what preparation is all about.
I don’t know what this next season looks like, or what the season you’re currently in looks like, but I know that I want to feel it in my very bones that God is about to do something. I want to make room for Him in my life. I want to let go of control of my future and make way for the God that will provide the needs and best pathway for my life. Psalm 32:8 says “The Lord says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.’” For all of us, a change of seasons will bring about more of the goodness of God that we saw in whatever season, stage, life, job, relationship, or mistake we are leaving behind.
Make room and be expectant.