LET GO OF THE TRIGGER

Don't you love this time of year? Everything around us is decorated in garland and shines with lights. A special season has arrived.

Just as there are seasons within the weather, there are seasons of change and new events in our lives. Change can be frightening for some of us, but new events are an amazing opportunity to see God move on our behalf.

Recently, I elected to try something new. My husband and I had a large delivery of dirt brought to our home. Unfortunately, the trucks left as much dirt on the driveway as they did on our grass. Determined to "do my husband a favor," I decided to try my hand at power washing the driveway.

After rolling the washer onto the driveway, I stared at it for a moment. Couldn't you just plug this thing in and it would start? With modern technology, the idea of pulling a cord seemed absurd. I rolled up my sleeves, placed my foot against the washer, and began pulling. Each time I pulled the cord, the washer would roll away from me. After fifteen minutes of striving to start this contraption, I finally found the “choke.” The designer of this machine was brilliant! He knew that "choking" the machine was exactly what I felt like doing after multiple failed attempts. With one pull of the choke, the washer started. So did the wand which sprays the water. As I held the wand in my hand, I began spinning around the driveway like a deflated balloon. I bounced from one side of the driveway to another as the force of the water spun me in circles like a top. I was soaking wet and laughing hysterically once I realized the source of my malfunction-LET GO OF THE TRIGGER!

Is your finger "glued" to the trigger today? Is there anything you need to let go of in this "season" of your life? Ephesians 3:1 says that "there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under Heaven."

Maybe you are in the infancy of "Spring," where new ideas and situations are exciting, but the work to get them done is overwhelming. Let go of anxiety, and trust God with the details. Perhaps you are in the stability of "Summer" where you have accomplished great things in your family, work and ministry, but they must be maintained. Let go of the lie that there is "something better, and the grass is always greener." Thank God for bringing you to this place, and ask Him to help you maintain those "good and perfect gifts" that He has given you.

Are you in the "Fall" season of life, where change is inevitable? Let go of the fear of change, and remember the promise of God's Word. "Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and forever," according to Hebrews 13:8. No matter what changes we are facing, God is able-and He never changes.

If you are in the "Winter" of your life, things may seem frozen, where nothing is able to grow. Remember the changes that occur in vegetation during the winter season. The seed does not move and may in fact have no activity. While the seed certainly "looks" dead, new birth is taking place in the stillness of the winter months. Psalms 121:3 says, "He will not suffer your foot to be moved. He that keeps you will not slumber." His faithfulness is consistent in all seasons. As you sit still during this Winter season, amazing rebirth is taking shape in your life.

Whatever season you are in, remember that the changing of seasons is inevitable. Don’t let life spin you around uncontrollably, like that power washer on the driveway. Let go of the trigger. Allow God to “wash away” whatever needs to be cleaned up so that this season brings about His perfect plan for your life. 2 Corinthians 12:9 reminds us that “His power is made perfect in our weakness.” When we pray, we approach THE POWER that is able to do “exceedingly above all that we ask" in every season of our life. Trust Him, and know you are loved during this season, and always.