Spring is here! For every person who suffers from their own form of “seasonal affective disorder” (SAD), this is a good thing. Most people self-diagnose and report to others they suffer under SAD and are very happy to see spring get here. They look forward to spring to help get rid of the winter blues, seasonal funk, or whatever they may call it. Warmer temperatures, longer light, new grass, budding trees, and rejuvenated flowers are just around the corner as spring rains begin in most places.
But there is something much better than the mere physical and mental benefits of the changing of the seasons. Often the Bible talks about the benefits of the spring rains, the timing of the spring rains, and new opportunities the spring rains bring. Let me point your attention to something even bigger.
God Controls the Seasons
The changing of the season reminds us that God is in control and controls the seasons. As spring breaks, we can rejoice in God who controls the world around us. Consider these words from Solomon:
1 To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:…
12 I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives, 13 and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor—it is the gift of God.14 I know that whatever God does,
It shall be forever.
Nothing can be added to it,
And nothing taken from it.
God does it, that men should fear before Him.
15 That which is has already been,
And what is to be has already been;
And God requires an account of what is past. (Eccl 3:1-15)
Of what does the changing of the season remind us?
First, God is in control. The seasons change because of God’s design and control. He graciously provided four seasons on the Earth for a reason. Not every area of the country enjoys as major of a change as others, but the seasons still produce what God intends for them to produce. Around the Ozarks, there is marked and major change in the spring. Why? Because of God’s design and creation. As Solomon said, “…there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.” This time is fixed and follows God’s pattern and design.
Second, God intends for us take advantage of this season. God wants you and me both to rejoice, do good, eat, drink, and enjoy our work. Why? Because God has given us this season to do so. Everything we have in life – in this season – is a gift of God. Transition to consider your season in life – now I am talking less about March 20th and the changing of the physical season to your particular circumstances, situation, and life situation. God’s intention in this season of your life is for you to not just accept it but embrace it. This is what God has given to you. So do good, eat, drink, and work. See what you have in this season as God’s gift to you.
Third, God desires for you to respect and trust Him in this season. Solomon points out that God is absolutely sovereign, meaning He is in control. God’s design in bringing various seasons in life with both their opportunities and challenges teaches us to trust Him – His plan, His purposes, and His character. He brings these things in His timing or season in order to also produce respect. We are not in charge. We do not determine the season. God does. Therefore, as the seasons come and go, we are to increasingly trust God with them.
Solomon gives us a sample list of fourteen seasons. They are specifically written as merisms, which means that two words are set next to each other in the Hebrew text which are opposites and refer to both extremes and everything in between. For example, a time to be born (one extreme) and a time to die (the other extreme) and everything in between (all the other days of living).
2 A time to be born, And a time to die;
A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted;
3 A time to kill, And a time to heal;
A time to break down, And a time to build up;
4 A time to weep, And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, And a time to dance;
5 A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;
6 A time to gain, And a time to lose;
A time to keep, And a time to throw away;
7 A time to tear, And a time to sew;
A time to keep silence, And a time to speak;
8 A time to love, And a time to hate;
A time of war, And a time of peace.
In each of these seasons, God is in control and desires for us to trust Him in the midst of it. To fear God means to study His character, recognize His attributes, and respect Him for it.
How should we respond?
- Begin by rejoicing in the new season. This would relate to spring (the spring equinox, March 20th) and your season of life. This is the gift of God. God has given you today both with your opportunities and your pressures as His gift to you. In it, He expects you to rejoice not in the particulars necessarily, but in the fact that God gifts you life and is in control even of this season.
- Do whatever is best in this season. Do what is right. Embrace your challenges. Just as spring brings opportunities to prepare the field, plant the seeds, and begin seeing growth, the same applies to your season of life. What needs to be done? How do you need to embrace it? What is next? Do that. Will it potentially be hard, dirty, and cause some pain? Possibly. But we do what is right now so that we can enjoy the benefits of it later.
- Recognize this season is limited. Seasons change. The spring season we just entered will end on June 21st. It is guaranteed to end and change into another season. The same is true for your life. In fact, Solomon points that out. “He has made everything beautiful in its time” (Eccl 3:11). The term beautiful means fitting or appropriate. This season is here now, in this time. However, it will change. There will be a new season. Therefore, as you are responsible in this season, just know that God will bring another season.
Questions for Reflection
How do you receive the new season? Does the season change help you respect and trust God more? Do you embrace the opportunities and challenges ahead? Do you worship God as sovereign? Do you see this season as a gift? I truly hope that if you do not, you will fight to get your heart in a right place to better trust God and rejoice in this season.
KevinCarson.com | Walking together through life as friends in Christ sharing wisdom along the journey
