You and I, whether we are aware or not, are either in a season or in between one.

Some may be in a season of waiting while some in a season of active ministry.

And all our seasons serve a purpose of fulfilling a story that God is weaving together (Rom. 8:28).

We have a fascinating relationship with the Creator of the universe as “co-workers in God’s service” (1 Cor. 3:9).

Though He does not necessarily need us, He desires to walk with us and calls us into a fruitful partnership with Him— one where He leads and we follow.

From reading through the books of Chronicles and Ezra, God revealed to me there are arcs He’s painting and sea changes therein, all ordained under His sovereignty.

Just like how there was a time for a righteous king like Josiah to rise up and unite God’s people as one (2 Chron. 34:30), there was a season for the Israelites to be thrown into exile for their sins (2 Chron. 36:20) and later be brought back home to rebuild the temple of the Lord (Ezra 1).

Upon return, all gathered as one and fought through the opposition of their adversaries to fulfill the mission of rebuilding God’s house that was once left in ruins.

Each individual had a role to play. None without a reason.

You and I are mists. We will come and go in a blink of an eye. (James 4:14)

Yet, collectively, we are mighty.

God has invited each of us into His ministry to play a unique role in advancing His kingdom.

And to prepare us for such a time as this, God has planned a bespoke season for you and me— so we become mature and not lacking anything (James 1:4).

So, what season are you in?

The onus is on us to hold up our end of the bargain now— by seeking His kingdom and obeying His ways both faithfully and joyfully.

In your partnership with God, may your heart burn with first love for Christ, shining ever so brightly to those around you.

In Closing

Dear Beloved,

If you’ve stuck around this far throughout my journey of pursuing my first love for Christ, I want to thank you for walking alongside and encouraging me along the way.

After 6 months of navigating in the spiritual wilderness, I have been called by God to come out of the season of waiting and join Him on exciting new adventures ahead.

He’s given me clarity and direction to water the grass around me, and in hindsight, I now see how He’s been deepening my faith and building my confidence in Him for such a time as this.

In order to make room for the new, this will sadly be the last First Love essay.

I hope you’ve been encouraged by the works of His hands and the stories shared.

If there is one thing I can leave you with, I urge you to repent and return to your first love for Christ and do the things you did at first (Rev. 2:5).

Until next time, be well and stay hungry for the Lord.

May the Lord bless you and keep you.

With love,
Jae

“You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.” (Revelation 2:3-5)