Seasons: Why each one is necessary.
Life is Meaningless?
If there is anything that we can take away from the book of Ecclesiastes, it’s that Solomon taught us that this life is meaningless. Now I know that’s a very pessimistic way to start a blog post, but hear me out for a second. Solomon was the wisest, wealthiest and most influential man to live during his time on earth. He had 700 wives, built a temple, and became the third king of Israel. From a worldly perspective, it would seem like Solomon had it all. But his reflection of how his life actually played out, was anything but meaningful.
This book was written by Solomon himself, and this book teaches us that when life is pursued through pleasure, work, or wisdom alone, it is ultimately meaningless (“vanity”) because everything under the sun is temporary.
And if everything under the sun (ie, ”earth”) is temporary, then that means we must live each and every day as if this moment is fleeting. As you read this sentence, be reminded that this moment right now, is fleeting. As you lay your head down to sleep tonight, be reminded this moment right now, is fleeting. When you wake up in the morning and take your first sip of coffee before walking out the door, be reminded this moment right now, is fleeting.
And if every moment here on earth is fleeting, then we must ask ourselves the question; what life are we actually living for? This one, or the one to come? When we can take a step back and look at our life as a compilation of little moments that are happening one minute to the next, we start to realize that there is a time and a season for everything under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 3:1) And perhaps life isn’t actually meaningless, but it’s what we make of it regardless of the season we’re in.
Why does God work in Seasons?
I grew up in California, and lived there for 32 years. I never really understood the concept of “seasons” until I moved to Colorado. In California, the status quo was 72 and sunny pretty much 365 days a year. The first year I lived in Colorado it snowed on Halloween, and I thought to myself “this is going to be a long winter”. And a long winter it was indeed, as I realized wearing Birkenstocks in January simply wasn’t going to cut it anymore. When God changes your season, you cannot step into the new one with old ways of living.
Something happened to me after that first winter here in Colorado. I started to crave the changing of seasons because there was something hopeful to look forward to after a long winter of freezing temps and snow covered hills. Something I never had the opportunity to do in my life leading up to that point.
I believe God wants us to view the seasons of life in the same way. He wants us to embrace the season we’re in (whether hard, or prosperous) because at any time, the season can change, and often times, suddenly without much warning.
What season am I in?
Just like the four seasons we experience on earth, God uses those same seasons as a metaphor for how he’s working in our lives. Let’s review them, together so you can discern what season God has you in.
Winter - Hiddenness
Wilderness - Dry valley, not much is happening. The mundane of everyday life.
Pruning - Stripping away old habits, people, relationships, jobs and mindsets.
Waiting - Patiently persevering and expecting God to move.
Returning - Coming back to him after a time of neglect. A time of surrender.
Spring - New Beginnings
Preparing - Being obedient to where he has you and where he’s called you. Stewarding what he has given you.
Calling - Taking steps of faith towards where he is leading you.
Summer - Endurance
Building - Putting your plow to the dirt, and working hard in what he’s blessed you with.
Storms - Dealing with less than ideal circumstances, but doing it with confidence that he will provide.
Fall - Reaping
Harvest - Reaping the fruit of your labor.
Victory - Celebrating all God has done and what he’s brought you out of and into. Remembering him.
Wishing for a new Season?…Be careful what you wish for.
When a new season is upon us, it can have us feeling anxious, frustrated, and exhausted. It’s always the last 15 minutes of a long flight, the last quarter of a football game, and the final moments of a baked loaf of bread, that we feel the most pressure. There’s usually an urge to unbuckle our seatbelt first, leave the game before the clock hits zero, and pull the bread out of the oven prematurely because the guests are waiting to eat.
But right when we’re about to give up or give in, is the moment we should hold on. It’s in the moments of angst, and anticipation for what’s next, that we miss what God is doing in our lives right now.
As I’m writing this, today we had our first snow of the season. November 30th! To be honest, this feels incredibly late for snow to hit Denver. A week ago, I was on a walk around the lake, and realized the yellow marmots were still out tending to their land. The snow hadn’t come yet, so they were still busy staying put, stewarding the land and preparing for a season of hibernation until it was the right time. I found myself questioning “Why hasn’t the snow come yet?” “We are way overdue for winter, God”. But He quickly reminded me, that his timing is perfect.
We shouldn’t wish for the season we’re in to be over, because when it actually is over, we might just be wishing we had those moments back. This is always the case when I’m waiting for it to be summer. And then summer hits, and I’m wishing it was winter. We always want what we don’t have. And then when we have what we want, we somehow want to reverse it again.
Whether its wishing for a singleness season to end and a marriage season to begin, a job to end, and a new career to begin, or the close of a chapter in a familiar city, to bring you forth into a new one— you will never be satisfied with a new season if you cannot be content with the one you’re currently in.
How to know you’re about to step into a new season?
Just like the bread being baked in the over, you’ll know exactly when its time to step into a new season that God is calling you into through one word: “Surrender”.
When you finally stop fighting the current, and fighting the circumstances you’re in and instead settle into the process of preparation, you’ll quickly realize that God was working things all out all along, it was just your impatience and trying to do things in your own strength that was blocking the season he was trying to usher you into.
Don’t focus on what’s not happening and focus on what is happening. God is moving, you need only to be still. (Exodus 14:14). You will know that the season has shifted for you when the bread is ready to eat, and God moves on your behalf. Opportunities will come out of nowhere, snow will fall unexpectedly, and the moment you’ve been waiting for will be given to you freely. The fruit of your labor is evidence that a new season has come. A change in direction, a shift in habits, and a new way of living is the result of what the current season taught you. Embrace today, and give thanks in all circumstances, because our God is good.
Cheers,
Nicole
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