Changing Seasons

“While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.” (Genesis 8:22, ESV)

As I look out my window today, I see gray skies and the promise of snow. The apple tree I enjoy watching coming to life each spring is still bare and lacks beauty. It seems this winter has been especially long and cold.

While some of my friends love these cold, snowy days, I do not. I adapt to summer’s heat more easily than to winter’s cold. I’m always eager for winter to give way to spring. I love seeing the buds begin to form on the trees and the early flowers start peeking out of the ground. The new life of spring fills me with hope.

SEASONS OF LIFE

Life also has seasons. Some are sunny and bright while others seem dark and with little hope. A friend once said, “Last year was not a good year.” It was a season of illness and unexpected sorrow for her. During that same period, another friend celebrated the birth of a child, an unexpected miracle. The same span of time meant vastly different seasons for each one.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 tells us that we will experience many different things as our seasons of life change. We may experience joy now, but times of sorrow will also come. We will laugh; we will cry. We will hurt; we will heal. Circumstances—our seasons—shift and change. Not all will bring happiness, but each will display a certain spark of beauty of its own. Even the bleakness of winter looks brighter as snow softens the landscape and an icy glitter sparkles on the trees.

GOD CONTROLS THE SEASONS

“He will give the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the later rain, that you may gather in your grain and your wine and your oil.” (Deuteronomy 11:14 ESV)

I believe God uses each season of our life to teach us lessons that will shape us and help us grow into His likeness. Although the scene outside my window looks barren now, the rain and snow of this season will soften the earth for the growth and beauty that comes with spring. God may also use the harsh trials we endure to bring growth and beauty into our new season.

A NEW SEASON IS COMING

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, ESV)

The word season in Ecclesiastes 3:1 can also refer to a set time or an appointed time. This season, or appointed time, is limited. Whether pleasant or difficult, the season will change and another will come. If your current season seems like winter’s icy blast, just hold on. God will begin a new season in your life at just the right time.

“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?  I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” (Isaiah 43:19, ESV)

Expect it; wait for it. God will do something new in your life as the season changes. Trust His timing.

Lord, help me to embrace each season of life as it comes, knowing that it is only a season. If I am now experiencing sorrow, a time of joy will come. Though there will be times of barrenness, there will also be times of harvest. Even in that final season of death, we have the hope of life eternal.