Ever wonder why the Lord decides to move us in and out of certain seasons in our lives? Ever wonder why it usually has to do with giving up that which means the most to us? Well, so many times I find that He has given me a few hints along the way, but I have not taken heed of them for one reason or another. So He seems to have to always help me along. By helping me along I mean He has to pick me up and set me down where He wants me to be.

Everyting in life costs something and the spiritual realm is no different. It usually costs us whatever means the most to us. Christ’s victory at the cross cost Him His life. The price we pay involves dying. We die a little bit ever time we follow the perfect will and plan of God for our lives. Paul stated in I Cor. 15:31, “I die daily.”

Dying to our flesh and emotions is a hard thing to do. It takes spiritual fortitude and being built up in our most holy faith. It goes against our very nature as we were born to live. Yet as we die daily to our will ,we receive His pefect will within our spirit. As we pass through the spiritual valley of the shadow of death we move into a new level of spiritual growth. We may not see it at the time. 

However, as the Shepherd moves His sheep from pasture to pasture, I am sure they are not always ready to go. For most likely they have found a cozy little place to lay on soft green grass. The shepherd continues to push them to move on, no matter how comfortable they may have become. For most likely they are very close to the mesa, the tableland at the top of the mountain. Everything depends on them getting there at just the right time and season. The same goes for our lives. When we can’t discern the times, the Lord, our Shepherd does it for us. It’s like a shot of medicine; it hurts, but it eventually makes us to feel better.