Can I see a show of hands for how many people are happy that spring is finally here? I guess EVERY hand went up.
Although I’m sure a few die-hard fall lovers would prefer the beautiful foliage and crisp, fresh air to sneezing, watery eyes and green everywhere. I find it interesting that most of us are ready for the next season and embrace all aspects of it, even the cold and snow of winter, which can have its charm, especially around Christmas. Some of us, however, embrace the new season for a while and then are ready to jump back into our favorite season, no matter the time of year.
On a trip to San Diego, California years ago, I discovered that the season I feel most comfortable in is late spring and early summer. San Diego’s temperatures stay in this season’s range most of the year, and the beautiful sunshine was just a balm to my soul. This year, in particular, I have not been very kind about the weather that God has ordained. In my neck of the woods, we have just experienced our 22nd Saturday in pouring rain. The forecast for Saturday next week is no different. I get in a bad mood on Friday just knowing it’s going to rain on Saturday, then I get downright angry on Saturday seeing the rain. It’s not a pretty picture, both on the outside and on the inside.
The weather is a good representation of life in general. We will not always have “sunny circumstances.” “As long as the earth remains, sowing and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, will not cease.” Genesis 8:22 Once the fall of man occurred in the Garden of Eden, man’s “curse” was to work the earth incessantly, resulting in too much rain, too little rain, scorching heat, or freezing cold. Yet, in God’s mercy, He has sent beauty in every season, even in the rainy seasons, when the earth teems with flora from the nourishing rains. Anyone who has visited desert areas can attest to their breathtaking beauty. Or if you took a cruise to Alaska and saw the icebergs, they are beautiful. There is beauty in every season, and that includes every season of life. But do we accept it? Do we even recognize it?
Let’s look at how to embrace God’s purpose for each season of life.
Spring
When it comes to weather, spring is one of those seasons that brings hope and a renewed sense of life. The temperatures are warming up, the flowerbeds
are prepared and the seeds are planted, with the promise of a great harvest in summer. The birds encourage us with their songs as we bask in the sun, climbing higher into the sky as the days lengthen.
On the other hand, a spring season in life may not paint such a happy picture. Spring in gardens brings growth, and so it does for God’s children. However, growing as a child of God sometimes requires difficulty or pain to encourage “shoots of wisdom, strength, and confidence in God.”
None of us would say, “Oh, I hope I have a season of pain and suffering.” » That would just be weird. Lol. However, when we are in a season of pain and suffering, a spring season if you will, and we understand the reason for this season, we will be able to embrace God’s purpose for “our spring.” To embrace means to willingly accept or support. Indeed, when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we submit to His lordship over our lives, which means we accept His design for our lives in all things, including difficult seasons.
The next time you are in a season of spring growth, be encouraged by these words of the Apostle Paul found in Romans 5:3-5: “Not only this, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” What a beautiful progression of growth that will bring spiritual generosity into your life.
When you look past the pain DURING the season, you can embrace God’s purpose FOR the season.
Summer
We would all like to live in perpetual summer. Everything is excellent: moments of rest, refreshment, family and pleasure. During these seasons, you feel like you don’t care about anything.
A word of warning: The summer seasons of life can be detrimental if they cause us to forget God and not call on Him or spend time with Him because our life is easy now and “we don’t need Him.” This is why it is so important to accept God’s design in the blessings of a summer season. Acknowledge it as the grace and peace of the Lord upon you, giving you time to regroup, count your blessings, and be thankful in all things, giving glory to God for His tender mercies.
When we accept God’s design for our “summer season”, (We) will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:11
Autumn
The leaves of autumn are certainly fading away in a blaze of glory. Last fall, my husband and I took a trip to Vermont, and in all my years, I have never seen mountains with such majestic colors. It is interesting to see how on one side of the road a mountain has a burst of color, and on the other side the mountain is already barren – a stark contrast between the effects of temperature and sunlight. Trees need warm days and cool nights to achieve the vibrant colors of fall.
During a fall season of life, we may experience good times and bad; it all depends on our reaction which causes a beautiful display of colors before “losing our leaves”. I have always been impressed by people who, like Job, can say, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return; the Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. » Work 1:21 when he suffers a significant loss. Indeed, when they are in the fall season of their lives, they display incredible grace and beauty in the face of this loss by honoring the Lord.
If you find yourself in autumn, accept God’s purpose for you to bring glory to Him in full dependence on Him as you shine the light of Christ in all you do and say.
Winter
It’s so interesting how, in winter, humans seem to “hibernate” like some animals. We tend to hunker down, enjoying cozy nights in and a slower pace of life. It may be cold outside, but the warmth of the fireplace warms our hearts.
When the Lord sends a winter season into our lives, it might look different. One of the most surprising ways is through illness. A few years ago, I remember thinking, “I’m so busy. It would be nice to have an excuse to lie on the couch and not feel guilty.” Well, be careful what you wish for, because the following week I ended up with a fever that effectively had me couch-locked for a week! Your winter might also be a somewhat permanent season as you face your retirement years, when traditional work has ceased. Or it could be as simple as some time off with a much lighter schedule. Whatever the reason, a winter season can be a gift, or at least for those who enjoy a slower pace. This might seem like a curse to anyone who thrives through work or activity.
No matter which camp you fall into, by embracing God’s design for a winter season, your mind and body will get the rest it needs to receive clarity and focus on how you can bring glory to God while serving Him in all the functions He has for you. By spending time in your winter season, you have the opportunity to “Stay still and know that He is God. Psalm 46:10
God has a purpose for each season, and we should embrace it!
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/alexmak72427
