Seasons
Ecclesiastes 3
All of life is cyclical, whether in nature, in our biological lives, or our spiritual lives. A study of plants or animals shows the cycles or seasons of life. God the Creator of all life has purpose in these seasons.
All of us would prefer to live in the spring and summer seasons of life, particularly in the physical aspect. As we get older our tendency is to desire to have the body and health of our youth but the wisdom we obtain from life lessons is well worth the aging body. In the spiritual and emotional aspect, life is a continuing cycle as we allow God to grow us and do His work to make us more like Jesus. I believe that what occurs during the autumn and especially winter seasons is what determines the quality and effectiveness of our spring and summer. Yes, God allows winter seasons in our lives for a purpose. The winter season brings death to damaging insects and fungi that effects trees, grass, even our houses. God uses the winter of our lives to kill off damaging ‘varmits’ in our spiritual lives such as pride, selfishness, lack of faith and prayer, apathy, etc. Winter also is useful time of hibernation which eventually brings health and new growth for plants and animal. A winter season in our lives can be a time to allow God to work in the deepest inner recesses of our heart and germinate new growth. After living in South Florida for so many years while in many ways weather wise was wonderful, I found that I often tired of the monotony of warmness. The change in seasons brings about contrast, variety and hope. Spiritually speaking winter seasons in our lives give variety and hope that God can and will bring about change. Song of Solomon 2:10-11 gives us hope that spring is coming. “Rise up, my love, my fair one and come away. For, lo, the winter is past.” Because of our Resurrected Lord, who died on Friday yet rose again on Sunday we can have hope and therefore joy that God is at work to bring about change for the better to make a impact in our lives and the world. All may look bleak but remember “Sunday’s coming”. Ephesians 1:19-20 tells us that we have as Christians a great power likened to the power that was excerted when Christ was raised from the dead. Winter will pass in your life as you wait on God to do His work which will empower you to glorify Him. Romans 8:28 – 29 promises us that God will work all things for the good thing which is to make us more like Jesus. Isaiah 61:3 “and provide for those who grieve in Zion – to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor.” He promises beauty for ashes in which gives us the hope of spring, the hope of change, the hope of power, the hope of becoming better because of the difficult winter season he has allowed to come into our lives.
Are you currently experiencing a winter season? Take hope that God is still here and he is working to do a great thing in and through you. Psalm 27:13-4
