Looking Back To See The Seasons

By Shannon Jenkins

During the last couple of months, we’ve been talking about the cycle of Orientation, Disorientation and Reorientation that happens in the book of Psalms. Psalms is not the only place in the Bible where our realizations about who God is and our encounters with God come full circle. In this next passage you will see how Paul, now in a state of Reorientation has become content. Paul went through a lot in his own life before finding such contentment. In the next verses, notice the ups and downs that Paul describes before finding peace. 

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”  Philippians 4:10-13 NIV

Have there been some times in your life where you’ve been happy with God, whether it be what’s going on in your life or just your relationship with God when feel like you’ve had “plenty”?

Have there been hard times where you’ve been yearning for God and still felt sad/disappointed/angry/ or even “hungry”?

It’s hard to see God’s promises for our lives when we are in the thick of the bad times. However, as we’ve been learning throughout the sermon series, there will always be good in the bad, and bad in the good. 

Perhaps you could try an exercise like this one where you look back on the you that you used to be and see how God met you through the different seasons. This is my story:

6 year old me would be happy I still love God
8 year old me would be disappointed I’m not married with kids already

10 year old me would be shocked I’ve dated women and maybe even a little ashamed
12 year old me would be stoked that I get to live my dream of helping people design their spaces
15 year old me would think it’s pretty cool that I hike and camp and kayak and paddleboard and all types of things I wasn’t exposed to as a kid
17 year old me never would’ve thought I’d party as much as I have
18 year old me would think it’s BAD ASS  I moved to California
18 year old would also be surprised I’m not doing ministry full-time
19 year old me would be glad that I eventually stopped dating my long term girlfriend, but sad to learn we’d never go back to being friends
22 year old me would be so grateful I am still friends with so many of people I went to highschool and college with
23 year old me would be relieved to learn that life still ends up being worth living even after heartbreak
24 year old would be proud to learn that I didn’t peak in college/high school and I’m having amazing days
25 and 26 year old me never would’ve thought my new long term girlfriend and I would breakup and would be sad that I had to re-learn 23 year old me’s lesson.
27 year old me would be relieved to know that I’m not scared of alone time anymore,  that my thoughts aren’t haunting me at night and God never stopped loving me even though I thought He did
28 year old me would’ve never thought I’d leave Interior Design full-time, but 28 year old me would be so happy to know that 29 year old me is happy in her new job and how it has given me more time to help people in my own life with my gifts.
29 year old me is feeling more confident than she has in a while. She is reclaiming her sexuality and redefining who she is. 29 year old me is trying to trust that God might actually know what He’s doing and remember I’ve been through the ringer enough times to know that it won’t always feel like this. Life won’t always feel this good, so savor this season of joy and gratitude and hang in there when it gets hard because, as we’ve seen, it always gets better.

Good Friday Prayer Stations (and a light dinner): RSVP for either 6pm or 7pm at Wrigley Coffee, 437 W. Willow.

Easter 6am Sunrise Service at Alamitos Beach. RSVP HERE just so we can communicate in case there’s some change due to weather/etc. RSVP link has map of exactly where we’ll park and meet.

Easter egg hunt 10am Lafayette Elementary School Front Lawn

Easter Service 10:30am Lafayette Elementary School blacktop