I hate allergies. In fact, I loath them. Several years ago, I began developing seasonal allergies. They typically begin in Spring and last to early Summer. Being the outdoors person that I am, one can see my frustration over them. My favorite season of the year is Spring followed closely by Summer. My two favorite seasons and they are the time of the year that I feel the worst. Sometimes my allergies can become so bad that its a wonder I still enjoy these seasons at all. Yet at the very same time, the temperature outside is perfect, the sun is shining, and the woods are being renewing with vibrant colors. How could I possibly allow these allergies to keep me from that?
The other day I was talking with a friend who is dealing with a new season of life where he is becoming the caretaker for his mother. The new challenges that he's facing and the difficulties that he is sure to encounter are daunting. Many have filled those same shoes before and found it to be the hardest and most painful season of life. I started thinking about that and began wondering what would happen if we began seeing those things like allergies during the greatest seasons of our lives? Would we begin to see them not as awful circumstances, but rather indications of a new and wonderful season? I know it sounds too easy and probably is, but then I think back to the disciples of Christ in Acts. It would be hard to argue against the fact that that their greatest season of life came after Pentecost, where they saw the church grow in great numbers. Where miracles happened and faith spread. Yet in Acts 5:40-41, it says that the apostles were beaten and charged not to speak about Jesus, then they left, "rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name." Their greatest season of life was marked with some of the greatest oppression of their life. Instead of allowing that oppression to hinder them, they began to see it entirely differently, they began to see it as part of their glory.
It has often been said that in heaven our sufferings for Christ will be our glories in heaven. Jesus showed us that that is not just a future reality, but a present one. When Jesus showed his scars to Thomas, Thomas responded to him by saying, "My Lord and my God!" You can feel the conviction in Thomas's heart and the you know that Thomas finally gets it. Jesus' scars were part of his glory. James says something about this too when he says, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." Our greatest seasons in life are often marked by the greatest challenges in our lives.
I write this today knowing of many who are going through difficult times. Some are jobless or looking for a new job. Some are struggling to find their place in the world, while others are dealing with family issues that are deep and painful. I know of others who, due to circumstances beyond their control, have been forced to move back in with their parents. I, myself, am not in a particularly easy season of life and many circumstances are not the way I would have them. Yet through it all, I wonder if maybe we should begin to see our difficult circumstances as indicators of what could potentially be a great season in life. Maybe these are simply the allergies that serve to indicate the time to enjoy all that God is doing in the world. As I write this, I know it sounds overly optimistic and even foolish, yet I can't help but think that Jesus wants us to have an abundant life, where even our struggles and pain lead to amazing and wonderful experiences. May we enjoy the difficult seasons of life, sniffles and all.
