Seasons
Written By: Kyla McCormick
Not long ago I began thinking about the seasons. In New York our seasons tend to be very drastic. The calendar tells us exactly when each season begins and when it ends. However we know that even though the date tells us it’s spring, does not, in fact mean that it looks or even feels that way. As each season shifts it brings something new with it. There is hope as spring arrives, a joy for summer, a comfort in fall and rest that comes with winter. We are often looking forward to the coming season but are we being present and intentional in the one that we are currently in?
There are many verses in the Bible that talk about the seasons. God created the seasons and we can often relate the seasons in our lives to the physical seasons here on earth. God tells us in Ecclesiastes 3:1 that “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” A season and a time for everything. As people we tend to look at the seasons in our lives as being good or bad however God is telling us that there is a time for each. Each season has a specific purpose for us. We can experience a variety of seasons such as seasons of joy and sorrow, seasons of waiting and acceleration and seasons of rest and constant going.
Each season comes with its own challenges. We know that during those seasons of waiting, sorrow and constant going, it can be hard. The question we must ask ourselves is how are we reacting in these difficult seasons? Are we looking to Him for what we need or are we trying to do it on our own? Are we allowing Him to come into our situations and work? Matthew 11:28-30 says “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” He wants us to draw near to Him when we’re struggling. He is such a big and awesome God who can handle everything! So why would we not continually surrender it all to Him?
Scripture also tells us to “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4). We must remember that these seasons are producing things in us that we need. Things that only these situations could produce. Trusting that God is always with us and working will truly shift how we view each season in our lives.
Then there are those seasons of joy, acceleration and rest. I don’t know about you but I enjoy the seasons of joy and rest. They are the seasons that I long for and wish would never end. Then there are the seasons of acceleration, where things are exciting and moving. It feels great but at the same time can be intense and unknown. In each of these seasons we still must ask ourselves, are we still looking for and coming to Him? I often find myself feeling like I don’t need Him as much when things are going well. However, we know that our feelings can deceive us. As followers of Christ we need to rely on the truth that He’s given us in His word, that we need Him above all else!
Ultimately no matter the season we’re in, we have to stay rooted and connected to our source of life (John15:4). God is our provider, our comforter and all that we need is found in Him (Philippians 4:19). He is our Father who longs for us to give Him all of our burdens. To come to Him in surrender and repentance, laying it all at His feet and trusting that He can and will handle it all! We need to continue to rely on Him and praise Him when we are on the mountain tops, in the valley and every place in-between!
Are there any areas of your life where you are trying to do things on your own? Are you willing to surrender these things to Him?
Do you believe that God can and will provide no matter the season? If not, work on memorizing a few verses that speak to who God is and His promises for you!
Take some time to read through John 15:1-9. As you read, visualize what it looks like in your own life to abide in Him. If it helps you can draw/paint what you see.
Prayer
Lord, we thank you that you never leave or forsake us. We thank you that you are always working in each and every season we go through. We thank you for always providing, comforting and loving us right where we’re at. We pray that you would help us to keep our focus on you no matter the season. That we praise you and lean on you for all that we need. We know that your ways are so much higher and better than our own and we ask that you would help us to put that belief into action within each of our lives. We pray all of this in your precious name Jesus, Amen.