From God comes…
From God comes seasons. Spring, summer, winter, and fall show God’s diversity. Many life lessons can be drawn from watching God’s seasonal creation unfold for it is God who changes the times and the seasons. (Daniel 2:21)
If our biological lives were divided into stages, they might parallel the four seasons. Spring brings new birth and early growth, so it could represent our childhood and teen years. Summer is a time of productivity, so it could be like becoming adults and taking on more responsibility. Fall is when things slow down a bit and could be likened to experiencing empty nest syndrome and a few gray hairs showing. We think of winter as old age. Of course, only we can determine when that starts. It is said that old age is always ten years older than what we are.
The Bible actually shows a certain amount of respect for the aging process. Jesus encouraged us to become like little children. (Matthew 18:3) Paul told Timothy not to let anyone despise his youth. (I Timothy 4:12) Titus 2:3-5 tells the mature women to encourage the younger women. Wisdom should come with old age. (Job 12:12)
These life stages were designed by God, and should be embraced, not feared. Each part of our life cycle has pros and cons. Only we can choose to dwell with a positive or negative outlook of where we are in life. God wants us to make the most of every season. That’s why we are told to number our days so we can may rejoice and be glad all our days. (Psalm 91:12-14)
Another analogy of seasons can be found in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. It starts by saying, “To everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven.” It goes on to explain that events will happen in our lives which may leave us happy and joyous, or perhaps sad and depressed. There are seasons we wish could last forever and others we want to go away as quickly as possible. God doesn’t require us to be upbeat all the time. He gives us time to mourn and reflect when needed.
God meets us where we are. James 5:13 says, “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing Psalms.” Our lives will always be a mixture of sunshine and rain, but Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8) He is our constant in our everchanging lives.
From God comes seasons in the weather, in our aging process, and in our daily lives. God designed it this way. However, He wants us to know that whatever the season, we can always rely on Him. He’ll walk with us or even carry us if that’s what we need. Seasons change, but God doesn’t!
“Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God…”
~James 1:17 (NLT)
