Seasons in Life
Life, much like nature itself, has seasons. In school, we are taught there are four seasons: winter, spring, summer, and autumn. These different seasons serve different purposes, and each one is important to the health of the wildlife. Each one is also uniquely beautiful. Sometimes, however, the seasons of life don’t feel that way.
Currently, I’m in a season full of unanswered questions, and I’ve been here for a while. Questions about the future, about friendships, about direction. For me, it is a season that has carried confusion and hurt. It’s probably why Promises by Maverick City Music was my #1 on Spotify wrapped this year. The lyrics “I’ll still bless You, in the middle of the road, when I don’t know where to go” just hit differently. Maybe you are in a similar situation. For many, it is currently a season of loss, a season of doubt, a season of examining God’s faithfulness. Those seasons are challenging. Back in August, I came across Ecclesiastes 3:1–8, and since then I’ve had to revisit it again and again and again.
There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
How reassuring it is to see that the Bible addresses our experience, recognizing these exact seasons in life. As I read these verses, I see them address my past, my present, and even my future. If I’m being honest, I’m not currently in the times that I wish I was. While I may not have the answers to the questions that I keep asking God, knowing that He is faithful to work even in this season of life is enough. I can trust that He is always listening, even if I haven’t heard a response. In the same passage, in verse 11, we see that He makes everything beautiful in its time. It’s been true in my life so far, and I trust it will be in the future, even amid hurt, pain, and confusion. How I wish I could just fast-forward to the next season, but for me, it is a time to trust and rest in the faithfulness of God. What times are you currently in? How can you grow your relationship with Christ in this season?
