Spring blossoms into Summer. Summer lazes into Autumn. Autumn poetically paints a brilliant display as it fades away into the cold, blustery winter. Winter roars into spring…and the whole cycle starts all over again.
Life is full of seasons. Childhood and the fun memories created by just learning to be alive. We wish those days could last forever. The teen years when our bodies become engorged in the confusing infusion of hormones and the way we can’t wait to grow out of that confusion and into adulthood. Adulthood arrives and the passion of young men and women grows into working to provide, building careers, following our dreams. Marriages take place. Families begin. Children come and grow and leave home. Old age comes in reminding us of winter. So many seasons of life.
Seasons of despair and suffering. Seasons of ecstasy and delight. Seasons of heartache and disappointment. Seasons of joy and contentment. Seasons of sorrow and mourning. Seasons of welcome and friendship. Seasons of betrayal and loss. Seasons of good health and prosperity. Seasons of disease and confusion. Seasons of healing and hope. Seasons of wounds and death. Seasons always change…but seasons always end…and that is good news.
I have enjoyed a very blessed and wonderful life, yet that life has been riddled with scorn and mockery due to my deliverance and faith. My life has gone through periods of wondering where our next meal would come from to having more than enough to share with others. I have known seasons of great success and seasons of great failure. I am currently facing a season of little income yet enjoying the beauty and mystery of God’s always-faithful provision. I am currently going through a season of the very real battle for my life as I learn to navigate the warfare required to battle Parkinson’s Disease yet enjoying the utter joy of knowing my God wastes nothing. As I look back upon the many seasons of my life - the seasons within the seasons - I am buoyed with hope…my soul feels as if it is soaring. How can this be, especially when facing a literal life and death battle? It’s really quite simple. God wastes nothing…and every season must come to an end. After my physical life on this earth ends, guess what? I get to start a whole new season in life with Jesus. If the seasons I have experienced here on earth are any indication, the seasons of heaven will be nothing less than spectacular and glorious and joyful and nowhere near boring!
If you are facing a difficult season of life, know two things. One: God will not waste it if you give it to Him and allow Him to show you His perspective. Two: this season will come to an end. That’s the way it is.
Changing seasons makes me happy. Changing seasons brings growth. Changing seasons ushers in periods of rest. Changing seasons means beauty is about to explode all around me like the blossoms of spring. Changing seasons means a new adventure is about to begin…and that brings joy and contentment to my soul.
Seasons come and seasons go, but one things remains constant. God is with us…
Dennis Jernigan
1 There is an appointed time for everything.
And there is a time for every event under heaven--
2 A time to give birth and a time to die;
A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted.
3 A time to kill and a time to heal;
A time to tear down and a time to build up.
4 A time to weep and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn and a time to dance.
5 A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing.
6 A time to search and a time to give up as lost;
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
7 A time to tear apart and a time to sew together;
A time to be silent and a time to speak.
8 A time to love and a time to hate;
A time for war and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 NASB
I would encourage you to listen to The Dennis Jernigan podcast and the song “I Will Still Be With You”. It is all about the seasons of life and how to live them from God’s point of view. Listen at http://podcast.dennisjernigan.com/e/i-will-still-be-with-you/
Picture courtesy of https://pixabay.com/photos/fall-autumn-red-season-woods-1072821/