Falling leaves amaze me, as do budding flowers, an open rose, and the first snow flakes. It seems I find myself behind the steering wheel of my vehicle several times a year with these words on my lips, “How do you do it, God?†As tears come to my eyes a sweet spirit surrounds me and a knowledge comes to me that simply says this: He’s got it all in control.
Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving: sing praises upon the harp unto our God.
Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains
He giveth to the beasts of the field his food, and to the young ravens that cry.
Psalm 147:7-9
At precisely the right time each year the first piece of brightly colored foliage falls from a tree, and summer begins to change to autumn. Just as surely, one morning soon a radio announcer will tell my sleepy ears, “The frost is on the pumpkin.†Before you can turn around two times the first snowflake will touch your nose. And amazingly at just the right time you’ll see a daffodil bloom. Yes, it is true, the ground will warm and before you know it, the same skin that felt the cold of snow will touch a broken rose.
We can know of a certainty that the same God who is caretaker of the awesome works of nature is holding you in the palm of his hand. God is a detail oriented being. his ways are past finding out. Much as we try our finite minds can’t understand his infinite knowledge, and all encompassing power.
His strength holds me in awe; but I must admit that what thrills me most is that the God of all heaven and earth cares enough about me to love me and to make sure that the seasons of my life change at just the right time. The excitement of the harvest season is awesome, but the dry soon begins to take its toll. The first snowfall is exciting but a man can’t thrive forever with cold in his bones. We may think we could live forever in the spring season but God in his infinite wisdom knows we’d soon lose our appreciation of the easy life, so the warmth of summer soon sets in. And just as the heat becomes unbearable the process begins again.
Yes, it is amazing, but oh so true. We can trust him! He knows where we are, even when we feel like we’ve been stuck in one season for a mighty long time. Friend, your barren soul won’t be barren always. The parched soul will soon be watered. He is faithful. He’s the master of the seasons and his timing is perfect. Soon you will find yourself with these words on your lips, “How do you do it, Jesus?†And his answer will come sweetly and with a sense of peace, “Child, I have the seasons of your life in my control.â€
Cheryl Orten is a member of Star of Bethlehem Apostolic church in Ilsley, Ky where Bro. Monty Fuller is the Pastor.