Spring Brings a Time of Renewel

Can you believe it’s April? I love springtime.

Spring is a time of renewal and rebirth. The weather is beautiful, the flowers are blooming and the temperature is just right. The downside to all this beauty is the pollen and effect it has on your allergies.

In the spring and fall I can’t use the excuse “It’s too hot” or “It’s too cold” to get outside and take a walk. After being cooped up all winter, this is the perfect time to get outside and enjoy life.
We all long for the springtime in our lives, when things are improving, there is growth and we are nearing that summertime.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 says “For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.” (ASV)

Three years I left an abusive relationship, and was in a time of losing and hurting. For the last year I’ve been in a time of learning, building up and waiting. I often wonder what God’s purpose is, but He doesn’t tell me too much in advance. That’s probably wise, if I knew too much I might not want to journey down the path waiting for me.

I have little patience and it’s often hard for me to wait. I’m discovering that the longer I wait and the more I question Him, the closer I draw to my Lord. That’s what he wants for all of us. We find that in the seasons of adversity and waiting we are more likely to turn to Him then when everything is going good.

So what are some ways to draw closer to God:
1. Constant and consistent prayer
2. Talk to God like he’s a friend
3. Time in His Word
4. Read and Study books that will lift your soul
5. Read and Study books that will help you develop the skills you need to improve
6. Find a group of friends that love the Lord {Sunday School class, Training Union class, Support Group, etc}
7. Make a friend with someone that shares your faith and will be honest with you
8. Make God your best friend
9. Talk to Him about everything—even those things that seem mundane
10. Did I mention, Talk to God!!!

What season are you in? Are you drawing closer to Him?