Three years the Detroit Tigers had a lousy baseball season. At the end of April, 2003, they were on track to becoming the losingest team in the history of baseball. They didn't quite make it, but they did manage to set an American League record for most losses (119) in a single season.
Now, with just a season between this one and that one, the Tigers are on track to becoming the winningest team in baseball, breaking a record set by Chicago in 1906. Even if they don't set the record this year, clearly they're having a great season and their future looks bright.
Quick turn around, wasn't it? This reversal didn't happen by accident, and how it happened is best described by the experts, but here's the point I want you to pick up on today: It happened. The worst team in baseball is now playing like the best team in baseball.
I am a big believer in seasons. Spiritual seasons. Relational seasons. Solomon writes in Ecclesiastes 3:1, "To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven."
That is not a fatalistic statement! Solomon is communicating, simply and directly, that the Lord has a wonderful plan for every one of us in all of our life situations in all times. No matter what the time of seasons, neither our lives nor the events we encounter are the result of chance or happenstance, good luck or bad luck, fate or fortune, the law of large number or Murphy's law.
Sometimes the seasons of are lives are bright. Full of happiness and joy.
Other times the seasons of our lives are dark. Full of discouragement and despair.
Personally and professionally we all endure losing seasons from time to time. A losing season may tell us that it's time to start over, but it doesn't tell us it's time to quit. If you've suffered some setbacks in life-and we all have or we all will-it doesn't mean that your best days are forever behind you. There's a big season right around the corner.
Peter reminded his readers of the great rewards to come, and said, "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials." He reminded his readers that trials and troubles are cyclical, but the promises of God are permanent.
Remember Peter's words: "for a little while..."
If you're where the Tigers were in 2003, look at where they are now. This can be you. You may be struggling in certain areas now, but those struggles are temporary. You'll experience a turn around, because God's promises are forever.
Hang in there! Seasons come and seasons go. May God bless you this week with a positive season in Him!
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2 comments:
That's a great message George. You know, the Rangers are going to see the Tigers on August 19th...why don't you come along? It's a family event so the whole gang can join you. We went a couple of years ago and they (the Tigers organization) were able to give us as many tickets as we could use...well, we bought them but they had a whole lot of surplus at that time. Now, this year, we were limited to 200 tickets for the whole state Ranger program. This is another difference between being in a season of plenty or a season of famine will bring. In a great season, a season where everything is going your way, you will be in great demand...so great that you may not be able to meet everyone's needs but they can understand. In a lousy season, a season when nothing seems to be going right, it seems that you are not wanted...and there are not enough people who understand what you are going through and can empathize with you.
But the important thing is, in both of those seasons, God is with you. God is right there waiting to hold you and comfort you and celebrate with you and give you peace when you need it. Cast your worries upon Him; in the same way, give Him your praise and worship every day (good or bad) in that He has work for you today. The best way to work out of the dark times, as George told us the story on Sunday, is to get out and help others. By blessing others, you will be blessed; by lifting others, you will be lifted; by bringing hope, you will become hopeful. An old saying is, "The gift is not in the receiving but in the giving."
Rest, eat, relax, be cared for, then take up the Sword of Truth and get back in the fray!
Love God, love people.
Jon
There is always good in the midst of any season one is in. If we focus only on the difficult season and the circumstances, it will tear you down and then you isolate yourself (I know, I have done it). During these times my suggestions are always, never stop praying. It sounds so "churchy" to even say that, but until people learn the power of prayer, they will never be able to go througth their season knowing the presence of God. And during these seasons the Lord usually guides me in two ways: one worship him, and second, pray for others. By doing this it gets the focus off my problems and give me endless strength I would not have had otherwise. There is a time to mourn and grieve over your problems, but then there is a time to stop, rise up and do for the Lord and for others, so in the end He can do for you. As you pray, the Lord will guide you through each process, each day, specifically so you can deal with each situation, daily. But above all, "Give thanks in all circumstances." Keeping a positive focus on what is good in your life and what God has blessed you with, will always make the circumstances bearable.
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