I love that spring comes after winter. It’s a gift that the season of new life, fresh growth and possibility, follows the season with short days and long cold nights.
The older I become, the more the shortening days in fall make me sad. I’m never ready for the seasons to change, and yet they do, with great regularity. You’d think by now I’d be used to it, but my mind fights this change each year.
I count down until December 21, and then rejoice that the shortest of the days have come and gone. It’s all more light and sunshine from here, I tell myself.
Anyone else? This challenge with the short days has me longing for spring all the more. A restlessness wells up in me and I can’t wait to see the new growth in my yard and in my life.
I think of the words in Ecclesiastes 3:1-2:
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted “
As much as I love spring, the Word reminds me that every season has purpose – even the ones I don’t like best.
There is a time for every matter under heaven. That phrase is mind blowing. I tend to think in terms of me, my family , my season and yet God who created us all, is able to think of all our seasons at once. So much so that He has given a time for every matter, for every purpose, under heaven. All things at once. Remarkable.
Your season and mine may be different, but God has ordained them both. Even both of our “not favorite” seasons have purpose.
What season are you in now my friend?
- Are you living through a heat wave of trials?
- Does it feel like you are in a very long winter of sadness and loss?
- Are you wondering if there are more storms ahead and how you’ll endure if there are?
- Perhaps an autumn of winding down to enjoy the changing colors, has you in a time of respite and stillness.
Whatever season and whatever reason, can I encourage you to lean into the strong arms of your Savior, your Abba daddy?
- He will hold you close, catching your tears.
- He will rejoice and sing over you.
- He will never leave you or forsake you.
- He will sit with you by still waters of rest.
- He comforts us and celebrates with us.
- He is God for all seasons.
I’m thankful to worship and be loved by the God of the Universe, who is everywhere present, always faithful and endlessly loving.
Whatever season you find yourself – you are not in it alone. El Roi, the God who sees, and created seasons, is right next to you. He is with you always.
As we countdown to Easter, the season we recognize Christ’s death, burial and resurrection, let’s celebrate the new life that only He can give. His dying and rising again, bought our pardon, and set us free. They remind us that this life is not all there is. We have an eternal season awaiting us in our heavenly home. Hallelujah! What a Savior!