Can you please show your hands how many of you are happy that spring has finally arrived? I think everyone’s hands went up.
That said, I’m sure some avid fall lovers prefer beautiful fall foliage and crisp cool air to sneezing, watery eyes, and ubiquitous greenery. Interestingly, most of us are gearing up for the upcoming season and embrace all aspects of it, and even the cold and snow of winter can have its charms, especially around Christmas. But some of us, no matter what time of year it is, are ready to embrace the new season for a while and then return to the season we love.
When I traveled to San Diego, California many years ago, I noticed that the season I felt most at home was late spring to early summer. Temperatures in San Diego are within that seasonal range for most of the year we camp, and the beautiful sunshine was a real treat for my soul. This year in particular, I have not been very kind to the weather that God has ordained. In my neck of the woods, it just rained on Saturday the 22nd. The forecast for next Saturday remains unchanged. Just knowing that it’s going to rain on Saturday makes me grumpy on Friday, and just looking at the rain on Saturday makes me angry. The photos of the exterior and interior are not very nice.
The weather is a good indicator of life in general. Things won’t always be “sunny.” “As long as the earth lasts, neither sowing nor harvest, cold or heat, summer or winter, day or night, will cease.” Genesis 8:22 When the fall of man came to the Garden of Eden, man’s “curse” was to plow the land incessantly, resulting in too much rain, too little rain, scorching heat and extreme cold. But in His mercy, He sends us beauty in every season, even in the rainy season when the earth is flooded with flora by the nourishing rain. Anyone who has ever visited the desert region will attest to its breathtaking beauty. Or if you went on a cruise in Alaska and saw an iceberg, that iceberg is beautiful. There is beauty in every season, and that includes every season of life. But do we accept it? Are we even aware of that?
Let’s look at ways to embrace God’s purpose in each season of your life.
spring
As far as the weather is concerned, spring is one of those seasons that brings hope and a new sense of life. The temperature is getting warmer, and so are the flower beds in the garden.
Preparations are made and seeds are planted so that we can expect a beautiful harvest in the summer. As we bask in the sun, the birds cheer us on with their chirps, climbing higher into the sky as the days grow longer.
In contrast, the spring season of life may not paint such a happy picture. Spring in the garden brings growth, and so does it for God’s children. However, our growth as children of God may require hardship and pain in order to foster “wisdom, strength, and divine confidence.”
Nobody thinks, “Oh, I wish we had a season of pain and suffering.” That would just be weird. lol. But when we are in a season of pain and suffering, a spring season so to speak, and when we understand the reason behind that season, we will be able to accept God’s purpose for “our spring.” Embrace means to accept or support. Indeed, when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we follow Him throughout our lives. This means accepting Jesus’ purpose for our lives in all things, including difficult seasons.
The next time you enter the spring season of growth, be encouraged by the words of the Apostle Paul in Romans 5:3-5: “Moreover, we are proud of our suffering, because we know that suffering produces patience, perseverance, character, and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” What a beautiful progression of growth that brings spiritual richness into your life.
As we move past the pain of the season, we can embrace God’s purpose for it.
summer
We all wish for a season of eternal summer in our lives. Rest, rejuvenation, time with family, and fun are all great. In seasons like these, I feel like nothing matters to me.
A word of caution: If the summer season makes us forget about God and stop seeking Him or spending time with Him because life is easy now and we don’t “need Him,” it can have a negative impact on our lives. This is why it is so important to embrace God’s purpose in summer grace. Recognize that it is the Lord’s grace and peace to you, and give yourself time to rebuild your heart, count your blessings, be thankful for everything, and give glory to God’s tender mercies.
When we accept God’s purpose for the “summer season,” “(we) become rich in every way and generous in every way, so that gratitude to God comes through us.” 2 Corinthians 9:11
autumn
The autumn leaves certainly shine. Last fall, my husband and I drove up Vermont and I had never seen the mountains in such majestic colors. It is interesting to see how the mountains on one side of the road are brightly colored, while the mountains on the other side are already barren. There is a striking contrast between the effects of temperature and sunlight. Trees need warm days and cool nights to get their bright fall colors.
During the autumn season of your life, you may experience both good and bad times. It’s all about how we react to bring about a beautiful display of color before it “loses its leaves”. I have always been in awe of people who, like Job, can say, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord took away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” Job 1:21 When you suffer a great loss. In fact, in the autumn of their lives, they show incredible grace and beauty in the face of their loss by honoring the Lord.
If you find yourself in the fall season, depend fully on God to bring glory to Him and embrace His purposes for you, letting the light of Christ shine in everything you do and say.
winter
It is very interesting that humans, like certain animals, begin to “hibernate” during the winter. We tend to curl up enjoying the cozy evenings and slower pace of life. It may be cold outside, but the warmth of the fireplace cheers us up.
When the Lord brings the winter season into our lives, it may manifest itself in different ways. One of the more surprising ways is through disease. A few years ago, I remember thinking, “I’m just so busy. I wish I had an excuse to laze around on the couch without feeling guilty.” Well, be careful what you wish for. Because the next week I got a fever and actually slept on the couch for a week. Winter may become a somewhat permanent season as we head into retirement years when traditional jobs are no longer available. Or it could be as simple as having a much lighter schedule and taking breaks. Whatever the reason, the winter season can be a gift, at least for those who prefer a slower pace. For those who thrive on work and busyness, it can feel like a curse.
No matter which camp you fall into, accepting God’s purpose for the winter season will give your mind and body the rest it needs to gain clarity and focus on how you can bring glory to God while serving Him in all the capacities He has for you. Spending time in the winter gives us the opportunity to “be still and know that God is God.” Psalm 46:10
God has a purpose for each season and we need to embrace that.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/alexmak72427
Karen Dell Tattoo is a blogger, author, women’s ministry leader, pastor’s wife, mother, and grandmother who is passionate about God’s Word. Her blog, “Growing Together in Grace and Knowledge,” and her books, “Choosing to Trust God: Breaking the Habit of Worry,” “A 30-Day Devotional,” and “Choosing to Trust God Companion Journal,” reveal her heart offering biblical insights to inspire women to grow in, through, and overcome hardship. Karen and her husband live in Rhode Island and enjoy walking in the woods, petting owls, and spending time with their grandchildren.
