By Most Rev. James A. Tamayo, Bishop of the Diocese of Laredo
I invite you to ask God to speak to you through the Scripture verses below. The Bible is the living Word of God through which He speaks to us. It was written just as much for you and me as it was written for people who lived a thousand years ago. In these verses from Ecclesiastes, God tells us that there will be good times and there will be bad times.
There are many seasons to life. Each one is a single step in our journey with God. It is important for us to realize that God walks with us through every season, and He carries us when times are especially difficult if we allow Him to do so.
Will you step out in faith and walk toward God, as Peter did in the water, even when it is hard to believe what is happening? Will you cry out to the Lord, like Peter, when you feel yourself doubting? When the rough waters of this life toss you about as the raging sea did with the disciples’ boat during a terrible storm, will you trust God, as they did, to calm the storm?
God allows the storms of one season in our lives to transform us and prepare us for our future–if we let Him. Know that while today may bring cause for suffering, tomorrow may bring reason to rejoice. Life is always changing, but God’s love for us remains the same.
As you celebrate Thanksgiving tomorrow, I encourage you to reflect on ways in which you have been blessed, in spite of the obstacles you may be facing. Be aware of the ways God reveals Himself to you every day. Offer prayers of thanksgiving for what you do have–beginning with the unconditional love and mercy of God.
Then, during the Advent season, which begins this Sunday, November 29th, ask God to prepare your heart to receive the greatest gift He gave us–His son. Jesus was born in a manger and lived in the same imperfect world we live in so that we can strive to live for all eternity with Him in Heaven where perfect love abides. If you have neglected God, Advent offers you a chance to remember what a good and loving Father you have, and to restore your relationship with Him…TODO CON AMOR.
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; I have seen the business that God has given to everyone to be busy with. He has made everything suitable for its time; moreover he has put a sense of past and future into their minds, yet they cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I know that there is nothing better for them than to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live. (Ecclesiates 3:1-2, 4-5, 11-12)
"...God walks with us through every season..."