CHOCOLATE SUNDAE COOKIES – Summer is near. (Luke 21:30)
Fall has arrived! The Tennessee heatwave is finally behind us and cooler temperatures are before us, and I’m writing a devotional about summer. (Bear with me, friends. God leads; I follow.)
When I created the Chocolate Sundae cookie recipe, it was springtime, and summer was approaching fast. Summer makes me think of ice cream. I L-O-V-E me some ice cream! Not just in the summer but year-round, and that takes me to my childhood when I would enjoy ice cream sundaes with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce. Of course, no ice cream sundae would be complete without whipped cream and a maraschino cherry to top it off! I always preferred my sundaes in a waffle cone over a cup because the crispy sweetness of the cones made the sundaes taste even better.
Ice cream is not the only thing that reminds me of summer, though. Summers are a season of newness, a hallmark that a darker season in life has ended and a brighter season has emerged. Summers display light, bright colors, warmth, and all the rest that invite us into leisurely days by the water, baseball games, yard sales, and all the outdoor activities our hearts desire.
I believe the reason God created seasons is to give us a picture of how nature relates to the events in our own lives and shows us that no season (or event) lasts forever. Fall and winter are a shedding away, while spring and summer bring about growth. Fall and winter events, where things seem to dry up, die even, can cause us to feel lost, lonely, and sad. We don’t like these seasons in our lives. They’re painful and hard, and we want them to end quickly. We yearn for spring and summer seasons in our lives where everything comes to life, like the buttercups we see on the side of the road or the red flowers that bloom on my own crepe myrtles. Spring and summer incite a feeling of resurrection and regeneration and make us feel like we can breathe again, smile again, have something worthwhile to look forward to. It stirs up an excitement within us!
Like the seasons of nature, whatever you’re going through, no matter how difficult, will come to an end – in God’s way and in God’s time. Psalm 30:5 says, “For His anger lasts only a moment, but His favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” Did you get that last part? Weeping may come for a time, but eventually, you will rejoice. That’s a promise to those who believe in God through His Son, Jesus Christ. Christians will endure difficult times, but not forever. That’s a guarantee! At some point, we WILL experience joy again. It might be in this life, or it might not be until we’re in heaven with Jesus, but our troubles will end.
That’s what Jesus meant in our title verse of Luke 21:30 when He said, “Summer is near.” In chapter 21, Jesus tells of coming events that will serve as signs of His return to earth. He tells us what to look for and how to respond, not to allow these events to upset us or worry us. In verses 29-33, Jesus refers to nature, specifically the trees, reminding us that when we see blooms on the trees, we know that summer is near. He uses this example to show us how certain events will happen that will be a foreshadowing of His return. He explains how the bad things must happen, like wars and disasters (weeping for the night, fall/winter season), before the good things can happen, which is Christ’s return to earth and taking God’s children home before the end of time and destruction of the whole earth occur (rejoicing in the morning, spring/summer season).
During those times of doubt, fear, and uncertainty, remember that there’s a Heavenly Father who is there with you, just waiting for you to give all those negative emotions to Him and trust Him to carry you through your situation with peace and assurance and meet all your needs. He tells us in Proverbs 3:5-6 to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths,” and to rely on Philippians 4:19, which promises, “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
Just like God has a reason for allowing extreme events to happen in our world before sending His Son back to earth, He has a reason for allowing difficult circumstances into your life. It’s to bring about a good result for you and one that will give Him honor and glory. Everything He does is for our good, and not to harm us, simply because He loves us and wants the best for us. And, believe me, I know from experience that what God thinks is best for me far exceeds anything I’ve ever thought was best for me! He promises in Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
So, whatever you’re going through, whether it’s a night of weeping or a morning of rejoicing, think about the seasons and how they relate to your life. All the seasons in some way are good. Whether plants are dry or in full bloom, whether temperatures are cold or hot, there is a benefit to each season of life. Even the coldest season of the year brings Christmas! Whatever your season right now, enjoy a Chocolate Sundae cookie and reflect on how no season lasts forever, that summer is always near, and thank God for how much He loves you and that His plans for you and your life are absolutely perfect. You’re going to be amazed! Remember, it’s all about Him!
