I'm working through the Experiencing God Day-by-Day devotional by Henry and Richard Blackaby. I thought today's passage and message was particularly appropriate for my life right now. They follow with my thoughts further below:
"To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven." - Ecclesiastes 3:1
"The beauty in the way God designed the four seasons is that, though each one is distinct, they all work together to bring life and growth. Spring is a period of freshness and new life. Summer sees growth and productivity. Autumn is a time fore harvesting the rewards of past labors. Winter is the season of dormancy and closure. Each season has its own unique beauty and makes a significant contribution to life.
Just as God planned seasons in nature, he planned seasons in life as well. Life has its spring time, when we begin new things and look excitedly toward the future. Summer comes and we work diligently in the heat of the day at all that God has assigned to us. With autumn comes the fruition of things begun at an earlier time in our lives. Winter brings an end to a particular period in our lives. Sometimes winter brings hardship, but we remain hopeful, for another spring is just around the corner!
In God's perfect design for our lives, He has planned for times of fruitfulness and activity. He will also build in times of quite and rest. There will be times when He asks us to remain faithful doing the same work day after day. But there will also be periods of excitement and new beginnings. By God's grace, we will enjoy seasons of harvesting the fruit of our faithfulness. By God's grace, we will also overcome the cold winters of heartache and grief, for without winter there would be no spring. Just as it is with the season of nature, these seasons in our lives work together to bring about God's perfect will for each one of us."
As I read this, I could clearly picture the various seasons of my life. The spring as I graduated from college and started finally working in my chosen career field. The summer as I worked, and worked, and worked in that field dedicating myself to "all that God had assigned to me". The autumn when I began to receive recognition for my efforts; where I achieved my goals and could see the "fruition of things begun at an earlier time." And now, the winter where the earlier period of my life is over and I've entered a time of "dormancy and closure". (Ironically, as I write this, it's only 5 degrees - truly a time of dormancy!) But as the passage mentions, winter can bring times of hardship and grief as well. With the passing of my father only 5 months ago I've certainly walked through and continue to walk through the winter season. BUT! Spring is just around the corner! By God's grace I was accepted to graduate school to achieve a dream I've had for quite some time. By God's grace I will move once again to a new community. By God's grace, I will continue to experience His undeniable love as I begin on this new adventure and look excitedly toward the future!
What season of life are you in? Spring? Carry God with you on your new adventure. Summer? Carry God with you as you diligently complete the tasks He's set before you. Autumn? Carry God with you as you celebrate the fruits of your labor and give Him the honor and praise for your success. Winter? Carry God with you as you walk through this time of solitude, grief, hardship or whatever may be facing you. And take hope, for spring IS just around the corner! Amen.
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