May

MAY is a month of vibrant transformation. All around us, nature springs to life – flowers bloom, trees bud, and gardens awaken from their winter rest. It’s a season that invites us to pause and reflect on God’s faithfulness. Just as He orchestrates the change of seasons, He is also carefully at work in the seasons of our lives.

But the beauty we see in May didn’t happen overnight. Before a single petal opens, much has occurred beneath the surface. Roots have deepened. Dormant seeds have waited through dark, cold months. It’s a quiet process, largely unseen, yet absolutely essential. Our spiritual growth often mirrors this pattern. God sometimes works in ways we cannot immediately perceive, preparing us for a season of fruitfulness even when we feel hidden or forgotten.

The Bible, in Ecclesiastes 3:11, offers a gentle, reassuring truth: “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” That means not only the joyful, blossoming moments, but also the times of waiting, struggle, and surrender. We may feel impatient or discouraged when change is slow, but God is never late. His timing is perfect, even when it differs from ours.

This month, as we take a walk outside, we can notice the detail of each flower, the soft green of new leaves, and the warmth of the sun. Nature can preach to us. Just as the Creator brings the earth to life every spring, so He is also bringing forth something beautiful in us. Our individual stories are unfolding according to His divine plan.

We may feel that we are in a season of waiting. Or perhaps we feel like nothing is happening in our lives. May is an invitation to trust again – to believe that growth is still taking place, even if it’s not yet visible. Like a seed planted in faith, our lives are in the hands of a faithful Gardener.

Here’s a prayer to help us to reflect on God’s faithfulness.

“Father God, thank You for the reminder that You make all things beautiful in Your time. Help me to trust Your process, even when I can’t see the results. Teach me to rest in Your promises and to find hope in each new day. Let my heart bloom with faith, and may my life reflect Your goodness in every season. Amen.”

Ian Toone, lay member of Life Church Derby