Well it’s that time of the year again when the clocks have just gone back 1 hour.
It signals the start of a new season. The summer is gone. It gets colder and darker; sign posting a long winter ahead.
Some times we think of lighter nights and warmer days but we cannot turn back the clock or rewind the seasons. They have disappeared into the ether of time never to return again. Places we would have liked to have visited, people we wish we had been able to visit and memories we may feel we have missed out on.
Generally made all the worse as the cold and darkness grip us.
In our lives we can’t go back either though we often wish we could.
Rectifying old hurts and regrets, repair broken relationships and friendships.
Righting past wrongs.
Going forward though can be different - but how so?
And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.
And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed
(Joel 2: 25&26)
God’s clock works differently from ours! Here in the book of Joel we are told that God can both rewind and restore. Mend past hurts and damages. Give us hope and a promise of a future. Offer satisfaction which it was lacking and a freedom from guilt and shame.
Now how does that work? Well Jesus on the cross took the punishment and shame for all those who will place their hope and trust in Him. You receive Him by faith and confess your sin and faults before Him. Ask Him to restore your relationship with God and you too will find that He can right the wrongs of your past and move in blessing in your life.
Of course a new start looks different. It is not revisiting our past troubles but moving on in repentance into newness of life. Where you perhaps anticipated cold and darkness you find blessing and favour with God.
Here at GCF we wish each one of you Gods richest blessing and pray you will know what it means for the years to be restored.
Much love and in our thoughts and prayers till next month.