Ordinary to Extraordinary: Goodness
The air is much cooler and the colors on the trees are beginning to glow. It is that time when we say goodbye to one season and hello to another. The change of the seasons is the easiest of all the changes in life, especially when a reprieve from the summer's heat is evident. As much as I look forward to all that fall has to offer, I find myself looking back at those ordinary days of summer when vacation and late night game time and the activities of the season are but a distant memory. But memories they are and those I can take with me from season to season.
And as the Lord moves us forward on this linear timeline, we do so with the gift of remembrance.
"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life." Psalm 23:6
A few years ago I went through a very difficult season. Towards the end, when the colors of my perspectives began to shine brighter and through the power of the Son things began to bloom again in my heart, I remember looking back and being amazed at the goodness of the Lord through it all.
Through the best and the worst of times God's goodness is ALWAYS extraordinary!
Even in the magic of ordinary days.
Even in the darkest times, when the Lord has you pinned between two rocks and covers you in darkness while His goodness passes by (Exodus 33: 18-23).
Sometimes praying to see God's glory means we have to walk through the wintery, cloud covered, bleakest of seasons. But the promise's of God in EVERY season remain steadfast. Before the darkness overcame Moses God said to him, "you have found grace in my sight, and I know you by name." Exodus 33:17.
In the ordinary days of a season, in the extraordinarily hard times of life, we have also found grace in His sight and He knows us all by name.
And goodness and mercy will always follow . . .
Dear Lord,
We move forward through this time with faith. Faith that you are working all things for good and for Your glory. We have hope because we have seen Your goodness and Your mercy. We believe Your promise that we have found grace in Your sight and that You know us by name. You are the good Shepherd who leads us through green pastures, besides still waters and even through the valley of the shadow of death. Show us your glory! In Jesus name we pray.
Amen
Thank you for being here today! This is part 4 in a series called: The ABC's of Ordinary to Extraordinary.
Part 1 XYZ: Creativity
Part 2 W: Friends
Part 3 STU: Fellowship
Part 4 PQR: Goodness
And as the Lord moves us forward on this linear timeline, we do so with the gift of remembrance.
"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life." Psalm 23:6
A few years ago I went through a very difficult season. Towards the end, when the colors of my perspectives began to shine brighter and through the power of the Son things began to bloom again in my heart, I remember looking back and being amazed at the goodness of the Lord through it all.
Through the best and the worst of times God's goodness is ALWAYS extraordinary!
Even in the magic of ordinary days.
Even in the darkest times, when the Lord has you pinned between two rocks and covers you in darkness while His goodness passes by (Exodus 33: 18-23).
Sometimes praying to see God's glory means we have to walk through the wintery, cloud covered, bleakest of seasons. But the promise's of God in EVERY season remain steadfast. Before the darkness overcame Moses God said to him, "you have found grace in my sight, and I know you by name." Exodus 33:17.
In the ordinary days of a season, in the extraordinarily hard times of life, we have also found grace in His sight and He knows us all by name.
And goodness and mercy will always follow . . .
Dear Lord,
We move forward through this time with faith. Faith that you are working all things for good and for Your glory. We have hope because we have seen Your goodness and Your mercy. We believe Your promise that we have found grace in Your sight and that You know us by name. You are the good Shepherd who leads us through green pastures, besides still waters and even through the valley of the shadow of death. Show us your glory! In Jesus name we pray.
Amen
Thank you for being here today! This is part 4 in a series called: The ABC's of Ordinary to Extraordinary.
Part 1 XYZ: Creativity
Part 2 W: Friends
Part 3 STU: Fellowship
Part 4 PQR: Goodness