To Everything There Is A Season

Spring in the Midwest is creeping ever near even as temperatures are struggling to reach above the freezing point and small houses continue to take up residency on the frozen lake front. Snippets of the transition are revealing themselves each day giving hope to the artic chill that has sunk deep into our bones. The sounds of a woodpecker tapping away at the frozen pine, eagles soaring high into the air beginning their search for their life mate, and the lingering sun resting along the horizon inching the hours of the day a little longer.  The signs of new beginnings. A fresh start. A rebirth.

In Ecclesiastes, we are reminded how God has purposed life seasons- Seasons of constant change.

“To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

Life never remains the same. Even if we desire to linger a little longer in one season over the other, God has a purpose for us to move in His perfect timing.

“A time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted;” (Ecclesiastes 3:2)

In our life there will be times we are planting seeds while other times we are reaping what we sew.

“A time to break down, and a time to build up;” (Ecclesiastes 3:3)

Learning takes place through failures. Therefore, we will have seasons that are meant to break us down and build us a new growing not only our character, but also our faith.

“A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance;” (Ecclesiastes 3:4)

Some seasons will come leaving us in an utter state of depression as we weep and wallow out of our despair eventually learning to dance and sing with joy through the pain.

“A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to gain, and a time to lose; A time to keep, and a time to throw away; ” (Ecclesiastes 3:5-6)           

Other times we must purge away the grudges of the past all the while hanging on to the good. This season of change may become the most difficult if we allow bitterness to harbor in our hearts. For if we are unwilling to forgive others, God will be unwilling to forgive us.

No matter what season we are resting in, God knows how long we will reside. Whether it is a season of growth, trial, or joy, He is with us. May we come to recognize the phase he is calling us into and not look upon the change as a burden, but as a blessing.

What season does God have you in right now? How is He using this time to mold you to be more like Christ?