So it's that time of the year again. It's that time just before Christmas when people shop frantically or not depending on the type of person you are I suppose. It's that time of the year where we often forget or verbally have to remind ourselves what the reason for the season is and what's it's all really about. Often I catch myself reminding myself of this while I am amidst the craziness of Christmas shopping or participating in the craziness. It is also that time of year when we (or at least I) begin to ponder of the year that just passed and what the new one approaching may hold. As I have been doing that lately it appears that 2011 had one predominant theme for me. SEASONS. Reflecting on 2011 there have been a few seasons that I have gone through that I to be honest have not been a fan of at all, but the reality is that they are good for me. I guess I could call them vegetables for my soul. (May not like them, but they're good for me) Okay, maybe not but you get the point. Anywho here are some of my toughest, but most necessary veggies of 2011.
Season of simplicity.
This season has been part of my journey while taking over the worship leader role at my local church. My personal preference while leading worship is to use a full band and really "go for it", but during this time God has been very specific while instructing me to start building this house from the foundation and that foundation isn't how we do what we do. Our foundation is Jesus and I was to lead simply worshipping Him. As we become worshippers we can increase what happens on the stage, but it became very evident that we were to establish a church that worships Him first.
Season of solitude
This perhaps has been my most difficult season to come to grips with as I love being around people on a social level or in a relationship. Perhaps it could be more accurately put that I do not like being by myself. Well 2011 has been a year where this has become my reality much more often than I would like. Initially I was bitter and for lack of a better term mopey and whiny over this development. As time passed I had to come to the realisation that there must be something for me to learn in this so I could remain a "big baby bed wetter" or figure it out and hopefully have this season pass in it's time. Though this one is still in the "in the works" process some things I have come to learn from this season is that I appreciate the relationships in my life when I am not constantly around them or depending on being with them to have value or worth. Also it has brought me back to my "first love" which I can so easily let slide as bad as that sounds. Currently I am reading a book called "Not A Fan" and it is a perfect read in this season of solitude. Am I a "fan" of Jesus or a "follower".
Season of searching
This season has been a difficult one as it is often easy to just float in life and let the days pass without reflection or asking the hard questions. Also it's kind of a tough one because as I search myself there may be things that I find that I may not like. Truly searching, truly seeking, truly asking tough questions may require change and that takes work. Who likes that really? Well like it or lump it this is a season that I've gone through this year and as much as I would like to think that at almost 34 years of age I have it figured out, I most definitely do not. Constant learning requires constant changing because life moves. If we do not move and adjust we become stale and stagnant. So as I heard a college colleague say once, "It again is time for me to put my pride in my pocket" and make some changes based on my findings of my search.
There have been other seasons that I have gone through that I may discuss later as they come to mind, but for the sake of time and making you all think I am completely messed up I will end here.
Each season serves a purpose and we can choose to accept that or be bitter as we go through them. To be honest I am not a fan of winter, but if I embrace it and take the positive out of it (sliding, snowman and watching my son play hockey, etc...) then it is can be a fantastic time rich with fulfilment. Don't get me wrong, I don't see myself ever liking slush but it's all about perspective and in each season (like them or not) I can learn and better myself as I discover it's purpose.
And now if you've made it this far I thank you for reading and wish you the Merriest of Christmas' and pray that you have an amazing season of rest, time with your family and celebration during these next few weeks.
Blessings...
