The Seasons Change, but God Doesn't
Objects: More Than Meets the Eye | Part 6: The Handkerchief
A handkerchief isn't particularly impressive. It's just a small square of cloth. But think about how many different purposes it can serve.
It can wipe away sweat after a long day of work, clean a pair of glasses, serve as an emergency napkin, or wipe away tears when life gets difficult. The same simple piece of cloth can be useful in completely different situations.
And maybe that's why it's such a fitting reminder of something we all experience: Life is full of changing seasons.
Some seasons bring joy and celebration. Others bring uncertainty, disappointment, or heartbreak. Some we wish would last forever. Others we can't wait to get through.
But there's something important to remember through all of them.
The seasons change, but God doesn't.
There's a Time for Everything
In Ecclesiastes 3:1, Solomon writes:
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens."
He goes on to describe the contrasts that make up our lives. There's a time to weep and a time to laugh. A time to mourn and a time to dance. A time to tear down and a time to build.
What's interesting is that Solomon isn't describing how life should be. He's describing how life actually is.
We make plans. We set goals. We imagine how our lives will unfold. But life doesn't always cooperate.
Sometimes we find ourselves in circumstances we never expected, facing challenges we never would have chosen.
And sometimes those difficult seasons last much longer than we'd like.
But notice that Solomon calls them seasons, not permanent conditions.
Seasons change.
That doesn't mean every loss can be reversed or every hardship will disappear. Some experiences change our lives forever. But even in those circumstances, God isn't finished writing our story.
God Is With Us in the Seasons We Didn't Choose
The Bible tells the story of Joseph, a young man whose life was filled with dramatic highs and lows.
He began as his father's favorite son, but his jealous brothers sold him into slavery. In Egypt, he earned the trust of a powerful official and was placed in charge of his household.
Things were finally looking up.
Then Joseph was falsely accused of wrongdoing and thrown into prison.
Imagine how confusing that must have been. Every time his circumstances seemed to improve, something happened to turn his world upside down.
Joseph didn't choose any of it.
Yet tucked into his story is one of the most encouraging statements in Scripture.
Genesis 39:21 tells us:
"But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him."
Read that again.
The Lord was with him.
Not after Joseph was released. Not when his circumstances improved. Not when everything finally made sense.
God was with Joseph right there in prison.
In the loneliness. In the uncertainty. In the disappointment. In the waiting.
And that's a truth we need to remember when life gets difficult.
A difficult season does not mean God has abandoned you.
Maybe you're in one of those seasons right now. Maybe you're facing something you never expected, and you've wondered where God is in the middle of it all. Joseph's story reminds us that God's presence isn't something we have to wait for. He's with us right where we are, even when nothing around us seems to be getting better.
You Don't Have to Know What Comes Next
Eventually, Joseph was released from prison and became the second most powerful man in Egypt.
But when he was sitting in that prison cell, he had no idea what was coming.
All he could see were the walls surrounding him.
He couldn't see the future. He couldn't know how his story would unfold.
And often, neither can we.
We don't always understand why something is happening. We don't know how long a difficult season will last. We may have no idea what comes next.
And while Joseph's story had an extraordinary turnaround, that doesn't mean every difficult situation will end with an earthly reward or a dramatic change in circumstances.
But here's what we can know.
God's presence isn't dependent on our circumstances.
We can be in the hardest season of our lives and still be right in the middle of God's love and care.
Sometimes the greatest comfort isn't knowing what comes next.
It's knowing Who is with us right now.
One Psalm, Six Reminders
As we conclude our Objects: More Than Meets the Eye series, there's something beautiful about looking back at the six everyday objects we've explored.
An umbrella reminded us of God's protection.
A table represented His blessings.
A pillow reminded us of the rest He provides.
A GPS pointed us toward His guidance.
A flashlight reminded us of His light.
And now, a handkerchief reminds us of His presence through every season.
What's remarkable is that all six of these truths are found in one familiar passage of Scripture: Psalm 23.
When David writes, "The Lord is my shepherd," we're reminded of God's guidance.
When he describes green pastures and still waters, we see God's rest.
When he speaks of being led along the right paths, we're reminded of God's direction and light.
When he walks through the valley of the shadow of death without fear, we see God's protection.
When he describes a table prepared before him and a cup overflowing, we see God's blessings.
And woven through it all is the promise that brings everything together:
"For thou art with me." — Psalm 23:4 (KJV)
God's presence.
Not just when life is good. Not just when things are going according to plan.
Through every valley, every unexpected turn, every season of joy, and every season of sorrow.
And the psalm closes with a promise that reaches beyond every changing circumstance:
"And I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever." — Psalm 23:6 (KJV)
The Seasons Change, but the Shepherd Doesn't
The next time you reach for a tissue or handkerchief, think about the different things it might be used for.
Maybe you're wiping away sweat after a productive day. Maybe you're cleaning up a little mess. Or maybe you're wiping away tears because life has become harder than you expected.
Whatever season you're walking through, remember this:
You don't have to understand everything that's happening.
You don't have to know how the story ends.
And you don't have to face it alone.
The same God who offers protection, blessing, rest, guidance, and light promises to be with you through it all.
The seasons of life change, but the Shepherd doesn't. And He is with you always.
This message concludes our six-part series, Objects: More Than Meets the Eye, from Hope Community Church of Anaheim. Join us Sunday mornings at 10:00 AM in Downtown Anaheim, California.
Continue exploring the series:
Read more at HopeCCA.com/blog
Listen to the full sermon at HopeCCA.com/podcast
Watch the full sermon at HopeCCA.com/sermons