“All praise to the God and Father of our
Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He
comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he
brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can
be there for that person just as God was there for us.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 MSG
Autumn is in the air! Even here in the South the heat and
humidity are reluctantly retreating. As I anticipate the entrance of an array
of fall foliage, I envision evenings around a fire, see myself sporting sweats and
sweaters, and contemplate sleeping, snuggled under a downy comforter.
I love how God designs seasons. A season for everything. The
previous ushers in the next, encouraging us to leave the old and welcome the new.
Summer sun strengthens, while heat and humidity heighten. Then autumn announces
its arrival with a soothing sigh.
We all experience seasons. Granted, some are subtle, others
outlandish. Yet each season has a purpose. Nature illustrates this through
cycles of life, death, rest, and rebirth. So, also, our seasons of life have purpose. God
prepares us for our calling by counseling us in our most challenging seasons.
He calls His people to be comforters. We provide comfort when
we share our seasons and show compassion to those experiencing hard times.
SHARE YOUR SEASONS—Authentic Christianity requires us to
honestly address the reality of our own lives. Human nature likes to take a highlighter
to the deficiency in others while covering our own in correction fluid. Yet a Comforter
will cover another with a layer of love to shelter them. Exposing our own seasons
of failures and fears creates a safe place for courageous confession, not
condemnation.
SHOW COMPASSION TO OTHERS—Vulnerability on our part creates
a conduit for compassion. There is no opportunity for self-promotion when we expose
our own faults and highlight the compassion our God provides.
So let’s not cower under the comfort God has provided, but be
courageous comforters who cover others in love.
