Seasons

I've been thinking about how God in his infinite wisdom created seasons.

Seasons for the earth: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall.

Seasons for life (macro): birth, singleness, marriage, parenting, death.

Seasons for emotions: joy, gladness, sorrow, pain, loneliness, companionship, fear, courage.

There are these specific periods of life apportioned for a specific amount of time for a grand purpose.

The Psalmist declares that the blessed man is the man that meditates on the Scriptures and he will bear fruit in season. (Psalm 1)

Of course there is the famous "there is a time for everything" penned by Solomon. A time to be born, a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal...a time to weep, and a time to laugh.. etc

There are seasons when life is full, and seasons where life seems empty.

Job has at it all.

Job loses it all.

Joseph is in a pit, a prison.

Joseph is Pharaohs ruler.

Abraham and Sarah have no kids.

Abraham and Sarah give birth to Isaac who is the Father of God's chosen nation.

The Israelites are in slavery and bondage.

The Israelites are delivered and rescued.

The city of Jerusalem is made desolate.

God sends Nehemiah and the city is rebuilt.

John the Baptist is in prison, he gets his head cut off.

Peter is in prison, petitions are made for him and he is freed.

Jeremiah is faithful his whole life to be a prophet to the nations--no one repents.

Jonah runs from God's call, preaches one sentence, and all of Nineveh repents.

In all of life's seasons we can be sure of one thing, God is not absent. God is not unaware. He is willing, working, purposing for our good and His glory.

Seasons give me hope that it's not forever. Seasons remind me that there is work to be done--cultivating, pruning, watering, and gathering fruit. Seasons remind me that God is at work.

Learning to be grateful for my present season of life...