For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1 NLT
Lately, my thoughts seem to be reflecting on seasons, seasons in nature, seasons in life, and, ultimately, seasons of change. Fall brings with it rapturous transformations in nature’s color palette. Greens and pinks fade away into rich shades of gold and red. Autumn is upon us. We feel its coolness as it greets us in the early morning light. Change is in the air.
Like the seasonal changes we experience, life is ever flowing, always evolving. Nothing stays the same. Pregnancy and birth spring forth with new life, while sickness and death ebb it away. It’s in the in-between moments we move and grow. It’s there we walk with our Creator through the seasons of life.
Seasons of Life
As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.” Genesis 8:22 (NIV)
I’ve heard it said that there is a little dash between our birth and death called “Life.” It’s what we do with our dash that matters most. Within that dash, there are seasons in which we grow richly and others that slip by seemingly ignored, unnoticed. Some seasons blossom with life, springing forth in brilliant hues of color. Sadly, there are those moments in life when nothing flourishes, leaving us feeling barren and scarred. Still, every season has value and purpose when it is cultivated in the hands of our Creator.
Plants fail to grow and thrive without the seasons. Even in the mildest of climates, the slightest change in conditions signals the earth to remain in motion as she calls out, “Grow, little plants. Life is for the living, and you are very much alive.”
So go the seasons of life for our souls.
They love.
They laugh.
They celebrate.
They cry.
They hurt.
They grieve.
They live. We live.
Seasons of Brokenness
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair, persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (NIV)
Some seasons are painfully difficult. Feelings of overwhelm persuade us that continuing on is not a good thing. Our souls are tired and weary. They cry out, “We can’t survive this season!”
I’ve been there often. Our family has suffered immensely, at times due to poor choices and others due to no fault of our own. Addiction, mental health issues, illness, job loss, death, and grief bid to keep us stuck in these seasons of despair.
While the conditions may seem unbearable, living or dying is not ours for the choosing. This is reserved for the Seed Sower as He gently cultivates his character within us. Each season is special to Him. Each has purpose, and without them, his little ones would fail to thrive.
It is in our brokenness that life springs forth. In these seasons of change, our roots grow deeply in the rich soil where the Seed Sower planted us.
Seasons of Hope
but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
Autumn is a beautiful time of year. It brings with it a sense of lightness and refreshment. As Thanksgiving approaches, we wait expectantly. Christmas is around the corner. Anticipation of the holiday season stirs within us. Our Savior, Christ the Lord, is born. A season of renewed hope is upon us.
How wonderful it would be if our trials and heartaches took a break to celebrate Jesus’ birth. For those whose trust is in the Lord, we need not worry. Because we find our hope in Him, we have the strength to face any season of life.
Today, you may find yourself in a wonderful season of rest. You may find yourself in a season of re-birth and renewal. Or, it may be a season of deep pain, even mourning. In every season, there are moments of hardship, but each season is good because God is good.
It is my prayer that you will find the good in the season you are in today. Your little dash awaits you!
Dear Lord.
Thank you for your seasons of grace in our lives. Season of hope and joy and seasons of hurt and pain. Please help us to always see the good in all seasons of life. Even when we are hurting and disappointed, may we always have the faith to believe and know your goodness is hidden in that season. We pray for our hurting loved ones. Draw them to you. May they surrender their lives to your goodness. In Jesus’ name.
Amen.
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on The Faith to Flourish
Featured Image by StockSnap from Pixabay
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