My Favorite Time of Year…

Fall, with all it’s gloriously vibrant colors is my favorite season. The vivid blue of the sky, the bright oranges and rusty reds as the trees change their garments is one of the most spectacular beauties in God’s creation.

I love it! As I drove to work this morning, a heavy cloud of smoke hung in the air over the fields on either side of the highway. Obscuring the brightness of the sun, it almost looked like a thick fog, but when I rolled down my window to get a picture of the field, the smell of the brownish-gray haze nearly choked me. I quickly rolled it back up and turned on the air. Unfortunately, that too, pulled in a bit of the smell. Or, had it embedded itself, that smokey smell, into my nose and head so that I couldn’t tell what I was inhaling. It looked like one thing….but smelled all together different.

Sin is like that. Appearances can be all too deceiving. We must stay alert and aware—at all times, for the tricks of the enemy will become ever more crafty. Just as we are growing closer to the Father, so the enemy of your heart, the saboteur of your own soul is seeking ways to stumble your running feet.

“Be self‑controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 NIV

Let’s look at Job’s life. You’ve read the story, or heard the story probably many times in your life. But think about your life while you read it. What would the LORD GOD have to say about us? I thought of my own. I’ll tell you in a minute. Read on.

“One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan the Accuser came with them. “Where have you come from?” the LORD asked Satan. And Satan answered the LORD, “I have been going back and forth across the earth, watching everything that’s going on.” Then the LORD asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth–a man of complete integrity. He fears God and will have nothing to do with evil.” You have always protected him and his home and his property from harm. You have made him prosperous in everything he does. Look how rich he is! But take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!” “All right, you may test him,” the LORD said to Satan. “Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, but don’t harm him physically.” So Satan left the LORD’s presence. Job 1:6-12

When I read this I thought to myself, “Is there anything in my life that the Lord could be proud of in me? Could He say I was totally sold-out-dedicated to Him? Could He say I was completely EVERY TIME obedient to Him? Could He say I was never distracted by the world and was devoted only to serving Him? It has really given me many areas to pray about in my heart.

I guess what got me started was remembering past sins. Last night I was working on the Bible Study for Sisters of Faith site that would post this morning. We prepare them day by day. Every single day. We have enjoyed it so much, and I told Aimee this week, “God has really been dealing with me and working on some areas in my life since we started this journey.

Yes, I admit, it has been hard at times juggling schedules. Difficult even. Time stretching. I have neglected watching TV. I am sure that my favorite shows stopped coming on since I have not watched them in the past 67 days. Surely they did.

But in the past 67 days, God has done 67 days worth of repair work. Needed repair. Necessary for growth repair. And growth is taking place. What about you? What if you turned off something and turned in you Bible more? Maybe a 90 study is too much. What about a 60 day study? A 30 day? What could you fast from? I tell you from my experience in this, the changes taking place in my heart and my vision is worth missing the TV. I want my eyes to view the world as He does. With the compassion needed to reach hungry hearts. There are so many out there. Hungry for God. Reaching out. Needing an ear or a shoulder. Some are hungry and they really don’t know what they hunger for…but we do. Don’t we.

Honey-pie, before you start thinking that I have got it so in control…think again. Remember me and traffic issues? Yeah. They happen everyday. But you know, I have discovered, if I am singing a song to Him, or talking to Him, the traffic issues in downtown, Hometown are not nearly as bothersome. When did I make this discovery? This morning. Do you know when I’ll need to be reminded of this? In the morning. I’m not perfect. But as my cousin Alice’s daughter Kristi, used to sing when she was wittle bitty, “He’s Still Working On Me”….to make me what I ought to be….it took Him just a week to make the Moon and the stars, the Sun and the Earth and Jupiter and Mars, how loving and patient He must be….’cause He’s still working on me.

What about you…what’s your favorite? What’s going on with you these days?