There are numerous times throughout our life when one season dies bringing life to a new opportunity.
Nehemiah 2:11-20
Reference: v.17 Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.”
Explore: The other day I was speaking to an elderly lady about the state of her church. She was aware of the decline in numbers of a parish near by and understood the reality of her own small elderly congregation. I understand that this example is replicated all over the country, and I suspect all over the world. However, in Christian churches our whole faith is based on the understanding of a resurrection and our hope is based on a life after death. While it is always painful to go through a situation of death, we live in faith that there is life on the other side.
Application: We all go through many “death” experiences in our life. I don’t just mean ‘near-death’ experiences when we come close to literally dying. I mean that there are numerous times throughout our life when one season dies bringing life to a new opportunity. Graduating from school is a death of one season but brings life to a new journey. Moving homes brings a death to one location but brings life to new experiences. Each time we experience change we acknowledge the death of a season but the birth of something new. This process can often be exciting but it can also bring feelings of loss, grief and anxiety. However, unless we have death we can not have life. The life of Christ gives us hope in all death as we acknowledge the miracle of life that comes after it.
Prayer: Jesus, you were a part of creation that brought life. And then in your death, our life is made complete. May we embrace the seasons of our lives and give your glory through each stage. Amen.
Where have you experienced a ‘life after death’ season in your life?
This article was written by Linda Bailey
Linda started theological studies in 1999 in Australia. After working for ten years in various church ministries, she now works as the breakfast producer at 89.9 LightFM - the Christian radio station in Melbourne, Australia. She writes blogs every day about passages she is currently reading in the Bible. Follow her on Google Plus +Linda Bailey or Facebook by clicking the like button on the right of this page.