A New Season, New Opportunities

Fall is beginning to make its appearance, and I have always enjoyed this time of year.

The cooler mornings, changing leaves, and a little relief from the summer heat are welcome reminders that another season is upon us.

And what a season this has been.

The release of Jonah: From Rebellion to Redemption—A Life Redirected by God has opened doors I never really anticipated. There have been wonderful conversations, encouraging messages, and opportunities to reconnect with people from different chapters of my life.

Now, I have a few podcasts coming up.

That's a new experience for me!

I've spent plenty of time talking over the years, but sitting down with someone to discuss my life, the book, and the lessons God has taught me is something different. I'm looking forward to it, with probably a little nervousness mixed in with the excitement.

My hope is that these conversations will go beyond the events of my past. I want people to understand the journey, the consequences of my decisions, and most importantly, the grace of God that redirected my life.

But this season has brought other experiences as well.

We've enjoyed visits with family, time with friends, lunches, gatherings, and some wonderful opportunities just to sit together and enjoy one another.

We've also attended a few more funerals.

Unfortunately, those seem to become a little more steady in this season of life.

Each one is different. Each person leaves behind a different story. But every funeral has a way of reminding me that our time here is precious.

It makes you think about how you are spending the days God has given you.

Who are you spending them with?

What are you doing with them?

And most importantly, are you walking where God wants you to walk?

That brings to mind something our pastor, Thomas West, recently said that has stayed with me:

“You will not know God's will any better than you know God's Word.”

There is a lot of wisdom in that sentence.

Throughout my life, I've spent plenty of time trying to determine what I wanted to do. There were times I made my plans first and probably asked God to bless them afterward.

I've learned some painful lessons from doing life that way.

Today, when I think about wanting to know God's direction for whatever days He gives me, Pastor Thomas's words are a powerful reminder.

If we want to know God's will, we need to know God's Word.

That means opening the Bible.

Reading it.

Studying it.

Thinking about it.

And most importantly, allowing it to change the way we live.

Pick up your Bible.

That's a pretty simple challenge, isn't it?

We spend a lot of time looking for answers in this world. I've certainly done my share of that.

But maybe sometimes the answer isn't that we need something new.

Maybe we need to return to something that has been there all along.

God's Word.

As I look around at this season of my life, I am reminded of just how blessed I am.

I'm thankful for good health.

I'm thankful for family visits and time with friends.

I'm thankful for the gatherings and conversations.

I'm thankful for new opportunities to share my story.

And yes, even in saying goodbye to friends and loved ones, I'm thankful for the reminder that our days matter and shouldn't be taken for granted.

There was a time in my life when I was always looking toward the next accomplishment, the next adventure, or the next big thing.

These days, I'm learning to appreciate what God has placed right in front of me.

I don't know exactly where the podcasts, the book, or the opportunities ahead will lead.

I don't need to.

What I need is to stay close to the One who does.

Fall reminds us that seasons change.

Life reminds us of the same thing.

And God's Word reminds us that through every season, He does not.

So as this new season begins, I'm grateful for yesterday, thankful for today, and trusting God with tomorrow.

And I'm keeping Pastor Thomas's reminder close:

If you want to know God's will, get to know God's Word.

Pick up your Bible.

Open it.

And let God lead the way.