Seasons

       The word alone may make you think of something simple like an limited edition of Oreo cookies that only come out in the springtime, a recipe seasoning for your BBQ or pumpkin spice for thanksgiving, maybe the colorful leaves of fall or the song “Turn! Turn! Turn!” By the Byrds, which is undoubtedly inspired by Ecclesiastes 3.  Whatever your fancy we also experience different weather seasons depending on our climate, I personally enjoy the season of fall… especially the rolling hills of Canada, what a remarkable sight to see. Life alone has it’s seasons.  If you ever heard the phrase “that person has been seasoned,” you’ll know it refers to the occupation or certain circumstances they’ve faced.  If you stand outside among God’s creation, take in and observe everything and how detailed God has been, imagine how much more detailed He is involved with in the works of your life.  We face changes in our life all the time, whether we enjoy it or not.  God gives us the opportunity to grow… the opportunity to be seasoned.  

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
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.

“9 What do workers gain from their toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet[a] no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. 13 That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God. 14 I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him.” Ecclesiastes 3 (NIV).  

Whether good or bad, seasons are experienced individually or even together as a nation.  One decision made can catapult your life and those around you into a new one. They may awaken us from within, or may cause us to hide in fear.  Undoubtedly God meant good for our lives, but unfortunately not all seasons are pleasing.  Whatever season you’re facing now, there is one that is always in place, the time to turn God.  I know I’m usually oblivious to what God’s doing in my life at the present time, and like most don’t realize what He’s been doing till I’m able to look back on it.  I know one thing I’ve learned is to allow God to guide me through these seasons.  Too many times we may leave God out of the picture, try to handle things with our own strength… but there’s a more beautiful picture to be seen when we’re able to look back and see how God intervened when we allowed Him to.  This alone allows future seasons to be more pleasing, more endurable and enjoyable.  I guess what I’m saying is if you allow yourself to be seasoned by the grace of God, seasoned by His Spirit and His Son, you’ll be able to see your seasons take on a new strength, a new understanding & a new hope. 

Verse eleven says it best “He has made everything beautiful in its time.”