To the person heading into a new season,
You might be just starting college, about to graduate, transitioning into a new job, welcoming someone new into your family, or even moving to a new place. Whatever the change, it can feel as though this new season defines everything. We often build plans and dreams around it, making it easy to idolize and dwell on this period.
As you step into the unknown, it's natural to want to control it, but picture life as a big canvas. Some parts may be painted, and others still blank, each area representing a season of our life. During different seasons, I find myself overly focused on making the new season perfect, tending to overlook that everything is built on the rock of faith, not on that one season. And God is actually calling us to take a step back, hand Him the paintbrush, and see the masterpiece He is creating.
When we concentrate exclusively on one season, we lose sight of the bigger picture of God's masterpiece. However, understanding God's Big Story helps us understand our own personal story.
When I transitioned from high school to college, I had no idea what to expect. It felt as if everything I had worked for was geared towards playing college golf. But God had different plans, and He had something far better awaiting me in this new season. What He provided exceeded my vision, but this would not have happened if my foundation hadn't been built on Him. It required me to give Him the paintbrush.
The Story of Ruth: A Biblical Example of Faithfulness
A great biblical example of this is the story of Ruth. If you haven't read it, I encourage you to do so here. It tells the story of a woman who follows God during a time of instability in Israel. At the start, both Ruth and her sister-in-law lose their husbands, and they also face famine. Ruth's mother-in-law, Naomi, urges the women to find new husbands. But Ruth responds, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God my God." (Ruth 1:16).
Ruth's Trust in God
In that moment, Ruth let go of control and gave her masterpiece paintbrush to God. Ruth doesn't dwell on her difficult situation; she remains loyal to Naomi, even when she is unseen by her mother-in-law. Naomi, however, expresses despair, saying, "I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The Lord has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me." (Ruth 1:21). Naomi focuses on her hopelessness, but God has other plans in store, and He recognizes Ruth's faithfulness and loyalty to Him and to her mother-in-law.
God's Plans Amidst Suffering
Ruth trusted God with her life's canvas, surrendering everything to Him. Her and Naomi's seasons of suffering were not permanent. Boaz saw Ruth's dedication. "But Boaz answered her, 'All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before.'" (Ruth 2:11).
Then the women said to Naomi, "Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel! He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him." (Ruth 4:14-15).
Recognizing God's Faithfulness
You may not know what God is doing in your life or what His plans are for this season, but you cannot box in His blessings or power. "Commit your ways to the Lord; trust Him, and He will act." (Psalm 37:5). God will continue to sustain us as we turn to Him again and again. Make sure to step back and appreciate the full canvas; He is
at work, fulfilling His purpose to reflect His glory.
3 practical ways we can trust God during uncertain times:
1. Read through the Bible daily. Spend time in His presence and slow down. In turn, when we spend more time with Him, we will become more like Him.' Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. 'Psalm 119:105 The Bible is full of stories of people who trusted God through changes in their seasons.
2. Be bold and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you, even when it's intimidating. This might mean attending church even when you don't know anyone or speaking about Christ when the opportunity arises. Being bold may not always feel comfortable, but it will absolutely require humility as we honor Him.
3. Pray about everything. Identify areas of your life that God is prompting you to pray about. Once prayers are answered, document them to reflect on God's faithfulness and how He is working. This will help us to set our minds on things above.
If You’ve Never Said Yes to Jesus…
If you’ve never given your life to Christ, and you’ve always felt like there’s something more, there is.
God is not far away. He’s near. And He’s waiting.
You don’t need fancy words. You just need honesty. You can pray something like this:
“God, I know I’ve sinned and tried to do life on my own. But I believe You sent Jesus to die for me and rise again. I want to turn from my old ways and follow You. Come into my life and lead me. I want to know You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Life as a Christian isn't always easy, and it's not promised to be, but it is worth it. Seek Him with all your heart, and you will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13).
Click here for free access to the Bible.
I recommend starting with the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) to learn more about the life of Jesus and His love for you. You can read it in different translations or even have it read out loud to you!
If you ever have questions, feel free to reach out to me or connect with a local church. There’s a community ready to walk with you!
The Gospel Truth
Christianity is not about us working our way to God; it’s about God coming to us.
In the beginning, God created a perfect world and made humans in His image. He gave Adam and Eve free will, and they lived in harmony with Him. But when they chose to disobey, sin entered the world. Because God is holy, He cannot be in the presence of sin; therefore, we were separated from Him.
But God, in His deep love for us, made a way. He sent His Son, Jesus, to live a perfect life and take the punishment we deserved by dying on the cross. Through His death and resurrection, we can now be reconciled with God, not because of anything we’ve done, but because of His grace.
Whoever calls on the name of Jesus and believes in Him will be saved (Romans 10:13). We now have the Bible, God’s Word, to guide us and show us how to live as Jesus did. This is why Christians share the Gospel: we believe it changes lives and gives us hope not just for today, but for eternity.
