By: Joyce K. Picker
September 2024 Blog
Lately, I have been thinking a lot about the Spiritual Seasons of Life. Maybe it’s because since moving to Washington State a year and ½ ago, I have experienced seasons more than any other place I have lived. The Fall is my favorite time of year, to see the leaves change colors and just to enjoy the beauty of every living thing changing and preparing for winter is so incredible. Winter is cold and a little tough when I must be out in it. But it’s still so beautiful. The first snowfall is amazing. I’m always like a little child when I see it. But it can be tough navigating through it. The Spring is sweet, literally, the flowers start to bloom and smell so fragrant. It is truly a miracle to see the plants that have died in the winter only to start fresh and bloom again. The Summer is fun to be outdoors and bask in the warm sunshine. I love to hike and explore, and the summer is the time to do that. We must be careful here because of wildfires. That’s the only downside to living here. But the benefits of the seasons outweigh anything negative.
One of my all-time favorite Scriptures is:
Ecclesiastes 3:1-2: “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven, a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to pluck up what has been planted.”
And these are equally compelling:
Psalm 74:17- “You set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both the summer and winter.”
Psalm 104:19 “He made the moon to mark the seasons, and the sun knows when to go down.”
Jeremiah 8:7- “Even the stork in the heavens knows her times, and the turtledove, swallow and crane keep the time of their coming, but my people know not the rules of the Lord.”
Life itself is full of ups and downs, and changes much like the changing seasons. To every natural occurrence, there is a spiritual one. Each season we enter teaches us valuable lessons about faith, patience, and perseverance.
In the springtime, we witness new life all around us. Trees grow and buds and flowers bloom again. (Amazing to me). This teaches us about the power of a new beginning and promised growth.
In the summer months, we reap what we have sown. We enjoy the warmth of the sun while spending time with family and friends. Summer reminds us to rest and to take joy in life’s blessings.
In the fall, as the leaves change colors and temperature drop, this reminds us that change is natural and necessary if we want to create space for new growth.
Finally, winter brings cold darkness that can seem never ending to some. However, it also reminds us that difficult times are a part of life that call for resilience and perseverance as we hold onto our faith.
The key is to embrace different seasons of our lives with faith and trust in God’s mercy, we can learn to let go of old patterns holding us back while at the same time appreciating the blessings present around us every day.
In the Word of God, we find many examples of God’s faithfulness despite shifting circumstances. For example, in Genesis, God makes a promise to Noah that He will never destroy humanity with a flood again.
In Joshua, God assures the Israelites that He will always be present with them wherever they may journey and in the New Covenant, Yeshua pledges to His Talmadim (Disciples) that He will never abandon or forsake them. That’s huge!
The constancy of nature and its seasonal changes also reveal signs of God’s faithfulness that are evident around us. The cycles of life reflect the consistency of God’s love for us through every season. Just as nature reminds us of theses cycles not just through the year but also through our lives, it is also a reminder of our unchanging faithfulness in a world full of changing circumstances.
You may be asking now: How do I navigate the seasons of my life spiritually and successfully? Here are some ways that have helped me over the years.
1. We must look to God’s Sovereignty and Faithfulness: The way the seasons roll into being reminds us of God’s sovereignty and faithfulness. The seasons are fixed and managed by God. Psalm 74:17. The patterns of weather, governed by God also supply crops for physical nourishment. Our world, created by God is structured to meet the physical needs of all creatures. He places more value on human beings than animals or birds. God meets all our needs for those who put their hope in Him and when they call upon Him to meet their needs. (Isaiah 40:31).
2. Look to God. Not only is God sovereign over the seasons, but He is transcendent over time. God’s knowledge and purposes prevail regardless of time. Yet He is not indifferent to our times and seasons. God has chosen to reveal Himself, to show His love and compassion to the world at the perfect time. On an individual level, He directs our times and seasons. God’s timing for our lives is perfect. We can be assured that our seasons are safely in His hands for His good purposes.
3. Look for God’s compassion and guidance. I learned when I went to Israel how often God’s compassion and guidance is often portrayed in terms of agriculture seasons. Let me explain when God redeemed His people out of exile and forgave their rebellion, Isaiah described God’s compassion and guidance like the seasons that allow for growth and harvest: “They will feed beside the roads and find pasture on every barren hill. They will neither hunger nor thirst, nor will the desert heat or sun beat down on them. He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water.” As the people returned to God, so their times of spiritual drought would become times of refreshing water, times of spiritual hunger would become like rich pastures. As Hosea told God’s people after their rebellion; “Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth. (Hosea 6:3).
4. Look to God’s wisdom. God’s wisdom is seen in the earth he has made. In His wisdom God controls the seasons, the weather, and its patterns. Just as God’s wisdom created spring, summer, fall and winter, we should recognize His wisdom extends to the seasons of our lives. Ecclesiastes 3 reminds us that there is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens. Although this list gives the impression we have no control over the inevitable cycles of life, God knows the right time for everything. We must persevere in our faith at all times and not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap if we don’t give up.
Whatever season you find yourself in, remember that God is sovereign over it, and He is faithful. God is attentive and His purposes are good. God is compassionate and leads us in righteousness. God is wise and can be trusted.
Take a listen to Danny Gokey’s song on You Tube: It’s called “Stay Strong”. It will bless you. Here is an excerpt: “If I never see the promise on this side of the grave, My hope might be shaken but my faith will never break….”Cause I know the day is coming where you right every wrong so I praise you in the waiting and my faith will stay strong.”
Heavenly Father, we praise and worship you in every season of our lives. We trust in your faithfulness and know that you have a purpose for us, and your timing is perfect. Help us to stay strong in you always and trust in you. We will wait upon you, and you will strengthen us every day. We love you! Amen.
Please check out my other blogs. I pray they bless you in any situation you are in today, tomorrow and always. I would love to hear your feedback and how these teachings have touched your life in some way. God Bless You! Much love!
Comments