Have you ever felt like doing something so out of character? Something you couldn’t even imagine. Let us examine and learn from the biblical figure Jacob. Jacob, the swindler of his brother’s birthright, marrying two wives with multiple concubines, is far behind him. Both of his wives are dead; he is surrounded by his sons, grandchildren, and extended family. Let’s not forget how he favored his son Joseph, creating much dysfunction between siblings. No, he was not perfect, however, God worked His perfect will in him.
Jacob, probably thought he would just live out the rest of his days in Canaan. Well….. seasons change. Jacob was heading into the fall season of life; a time when people and situations may fall away, and the landscape can change and look very different. So Jacob was being prepared for his next season of life.
Yes, uprooted and fearful, Jacob headed toward Egypt. God did reassure him He’d be with Him, saying, “do not fear, and no harm will come to you.” Jacob would have everything he needed and find favor in the land of Egypt. And just as God promised, it was so.
We have our plans, agendas, and vision boards; suddenly, Bam! God says not so. I have something altogether different for you. God will surprise us, uproot our plans, stretch and lift us. Throughout each season He does change us according to His perfect will. And just as in the natural, we have no control over, or can prevent the changing of the season; seasons of life come and go.
Four years ago, I entered a new life season; the Spirit of God instructed us to leave our beautiful, recently remodeled house. When we remodeled, we did it with the thought this was our last house. So I left the place of my birth comfortable and familiar. I left my sisters, friends, and relatives.
However, little did I know God move me to a new and fertile ground for the ministry He had called me to. The scripture,’Many are man’s plans, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will prevail’. I suspect Jacob had his plans; I know I had my plans; retire and do ministry right there in Minnesota. Yes, seasons change and so do we.
A word for the wise, God changes the seasons of our lives to prepare, instruct, shape, and mold us for His purpose. We are wise when we surrender and submit. Be it a winter, fall, spring, or summer season, God is at work in us to do and will according to His purpose. Phil 2:13
Prayer: God, help us to always follow you, even if we don’t see the whole picture and understand the entire story. Help to move through the seasons of life knowing you are there with us. Help us trust and rely on you and watch you perform your perfect will in each of us. Amen.
