Instead of heading straight back home after it was over, they did a little bit of shopping, eating, and touring. By the time they received their reminder about the time changing, it was already too late to make it home before midnight. Since my sister had another early ministry commitment, she was awfully tired the next day. It's funny how one hour can make such a big difference in your schedule and throw you off, particularly when you're losing one.
There's a helpful spiritual lesson to be learned here, which is, you must lose something first, before you gain something else in return. Just as we lose an hour of rest when the seasons change naturally, the same is true of spiritual season changes. That's what it takes to "spring forward" in your life.
I know it's never comfortable experiencing loss, but it's still necessary. In fact, the pursuit of purpose and productivity in each of our lives requires that we let some things (and people) go. We can't take everything and everybody with us. There's no sense in trying. Imagine how cumbersome it would be to move into a new location if you tried to take everything you owned with you. Your moving truck would be far too overloaded and you would be held back by your refusal to release some stuff and throw the nonessential things away.
Remember, you must release before you increase. You must give something away, before you can receive something else in return. Listen. You can't be a "pack rat" and expect to experience divine order and growth in your life. As you develop and mature, some stuff has got to go. It's as simple as that. Every relationship and connection you presently have will not survive. Some thoughts, ideas, patterns of behavior, and habits will die too.
If you want to spring forward, be willing to allow extraneous things to die. Death is a natural part of life and in the Kingdom it is a prerequisite to productivity in your place and position of purpose. Jesus said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the
ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much
grain" (John 12:24 NKJV).
Things must die so we can multiply.
I want you to be encouraged today. Loss is not a bad thing. It simply makes space for what else God wants to do in your life. Decrease comes before increase, but don't fret. God will maximize what has been minimized, restore what has been lost, and greatly increase you for His glory.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may you be empowered to prosper!
Dianna Hobbs
