A Season for Everything

Do you have a favorite season? 

Are you a summer person who loves going to the beach or lounging by the pool? Or do you come alive in the spring as everything comes into bloom? Maybe you’re a winter person, and you love that cozy season.

For me, fall is my favorite season. I love the cooler temperatures, the changing of the leaves, and the start of football season. But something happens every year that often catches me off guard: I feel like I’m being reawakened again.

This happened to me a few months ago when Texas had an early dip in temperatures. For one weekend, we had a break from 100-degree weather and experienced 70-degree weather. As soon as the temperature outside dropped, I got this sudden desire to be creative. I was immediately ready to pick up old projects I had set to the side. I was ready to dream and create again.

Each physical fall, it feels like I’m coming out of hibernation. During the summer, I don’t produce much and don’t have any sort of creative drive. The heat just zaps it out of me. But as temperatures fall, I feel this pull to create again.

This pattern happens every year, and yet, sometimes, I’m still surprised by it. The truth is that I’m not always great at observing the seasons. 

A Season for Everything

“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.”

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NIV)

Ecclesiastes 3 makes it clear that there’s a season for everything. We move through seasons throughout our lives, but we need to be aware enough to observe the seasons. And once we’ve identified the season, we must prepare accordingly.

Three Ways to Observe the Season

1. Slow down

This seems really simple, right? But that doesn’t make it easy.

Everything in our world is going by at lightning speed, and it sometimes feels like we’ll never catch up. And during the school season and holiday season, our calendars can quickly get out of control. 

But it’s difficult to spot a change in the season if we don’t slow down enough to notice. 

2. Reflect 

At that slower pace, we have the room to take time to reflect.

Look at your journals or think about your prayer times—do you notice any patterns? Has anything shifted recently in your mood, motivation, dreams, or desires? Make a note of those things.

3. Ask questions and listen

After you’ve taken the time to slow down and reflect, take time to ask and then listen. (Be sure to not forget the listening part.)

Ask God about the season that you’re in, and then listen for His response.

Talk with other godly people around you and see if they are observing any patterns or changes in their seasons. Sometimes, that will be the spark you need to better understand the season that you’re in.

Ecclesiastes 3 makes it clear that seasons change throughout our lives. But the good news is that God remains the same throughout those seasons. He is unchanging and eternal; we can place our hope in God amid season changes.

Related Post: 5 Scriptures for When You’re in a Transitioning Season

Three Truths to Remember in Every Season

1. God is still good.

Some seasons are exciting and filled with joy and answers to prayer. Other seasons can feel heavy and crushing. And in the midst of all of those varying seasons, we can trust in the character of God. 

In the good times and bad, God is good, faithful, just, and merciful. 

2. God has set His affections on you.

This is such a powerful truth. God isn’t just good and loving to someone else. God loves you. And God doesn’t just love you; He likes you too. He has affection for you. God cares deeply for you.

Sometimes our seasons and situations might not look like it, but that doesn’t negate this truth. Friend, be encouraged that God has set His affections on you.

3. You are part of God’s kingdom and God’s family.

You have been chosen by God, welcomed into His family, and given a place in God’s kingdom. You belong and are not alone. 

Because you are God’s child, you have been entrusted with being an ambassador here on earth. Regardless of the circumstance, we can reflect the kingdom of God in our families, workplaces, and communities. We can display the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and be led by righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17-18). 

Seasons change, and we can adjust accordingly. And no matter what season we find ourselves in, we can stand on the truth of who God is and who He has called us to be.

Shopping, presents, and gatherings, oh my. The holiday season bursts at the seams with all the hustle and bustle, but it’s never too busy for Jesus. Take a step back this year and spend a few moments with your Savoir each day in Christmas with Jesus. This short devotional contains 25 devotions for December from various authors who love Jesus just as much as you do.