Seasons
We live in a part of the world where there are four distinct seasons. Some have espoused five: Winter, Mud Season, Bug Season, Summer and Fall. Everyone seems to have a favorite, but most are thankful for the change of seasons. Someone has said, “Change is the spice of life.”
“Seasons” has also been used to describe the various periods of life (i.e. Seasons of Life): Childhood, Adolescence, Young Adult, Middle Aged, Senior, Elder. Many seem in a hurry to get to the middle of life, only to start dreading the end. It would be advantageous to enjoy every season of life and live it to its fullest potential.
Similarly, one’s spiritual life seems to consist of “seasons” that correspond to the seasons of life. Spring may represent one’s entering into a relationship with God by faith and growing exponentially in grace and knowledge in his youth. Summer may describe the physically mature years in which spiritual service is not hindered by diminished strength or cognitive decline. Fall often represents our advanced years, the time in which physical strength fades, but spiritual impetus, biblical knowledge, and practical experience are at their height. In the fall of one’s spiritual life, he tends to do more of the heavy lifting with his mind and heart rather than with muscle. Winter represents the time of accelerated decline in everything related to body or soul, but it is also the climax of one’s awareness of God, and the joy of quiet, intimate fellowship with Him.
As in the meteorological seasons, and the seasons of life, God would have us rejoice in the seasons of our spiritual life as well, to grow and serve Him as our physical and spiritual strength allow. There is nothing to dread in the life of a believer; Jesus said, “…I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (John 10:10)”
Missionary C.T. Studd once said, “Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.” And there is truly joy in serving Jesus in every season of life. “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. (Philippians 4:4)”