Amazed by the Season

“To every thing there is a season,…”—it has become rather cliché, but it holds so much truth. The rest of the verse where this statement is found (Ecclesiastes 3:1) gives the rest of the story—"and a time to every purpose under the heaven:” God has specific purposes He wishes to accomplish during each season of our lives—and He has set up nature in such a way as to mirror the transitions we, His human children, go through.

Generally, a season of trials, sorrow, hardship, and the like is followed by—providentially— a season of joy, celebration, or thanksgiving. Sometimes it seems like it takes way too long to get to the next season. But if we pay attention, I believe there is always value in what God is doing because He always acts according to Romans 8:28—my favorite Scripture: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Hmm, we are currently residing “under heaven,” as it were, and God has purposes abounding there—no matter where we are or what we are experiencing.

I’ve always admired the beauty of the natural world’s changing seasons. But I don’t know that, since childhood, I’ve been truly amazed by it. Winter is cold—and Christmas comes. Family gets together and eats a lot. Then before one knows it, spring is here. What was dead now comes alive again, and the outdoors are filled with color. As the weather grows warmer still, people don swimsuits and crank up the AC. At summer’s end, kids reluctantly get ready for “back to school.” And as fall rolls around, there is a crunchy calm in the environment as leaves change and drop—and students and teachers settle into new routines.

Right now, looking outside, it is still summer—but fall is drawing near. Enter any department store and you’ll know it. School supplies are now marked down, pumpkin décor is everywhere, and people are planning costumes and harvest parties. But in my spirit right now, it feels more like spring. Why? Because it’s a season in which God—that all-creative, all-knowing, all-purposeful planner—is doing a new thing.

“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Here, in Isaiah 43 (verse 19), God is talking about His people Israel—but they are a parallel to us, also His “chosen” children. Skipping down to verse 25, we read, ““I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.” God’s big-picture plan of redemption was Jesus. “For God so loved the world…,” and everything He does in our lives springs forth from that love. Even when everything looks dismal and dark, His love can illuminate that place with hope—and divine purpose. If we can recognize what He’s doing in that new season.

Right now, in my season, God has taken me out of a teaching position—which provided our family with a balanced, steady income; He has allowed me to have surgery to correct some years of pain and suffering—but I’m still in recovery; He has given me a grandson to love and cherish; and He has seen my family through one of the scariest events of our lives.

When I gave my notice at work—which I specifically felt the Lord prompting me to do—I didn’t know when my surgery would be. But God knew it would not happen until late August. I didn’t know that our son Josiah would have an accident, just less than a week before my surgery, which would result in a major head injury—leaving him in a neck brace for two months. But God knew. He knew He would deploy his angels at that exact time in that exact place to keep our boy’s life here on earth from ending prematurely.

God knew how much joy our grandson Gene would bring us—and what a blessing that would be in getting through some of the tough stuff. And before both the accident and my surgery, He allowed us a trip to Hawaii—something we’ll never forget. If we had known what was coming—well, we may never have gone. But God has a way of orchestrating our steps.

Though there are uncertainties in this season, I keep looking—and the more I look, the more I see life. Life that was not lost—a second chance for a future for our son; life pouring in through God’s redemptive provision during this time—and the love of the Body of Christ; life-giving memories as we look back on our Hawaii trip; life in the smiles of our grandson—and in his enthusiasm for all life has to offer; renewed life through the miracle of surgery—with the promise of happier, easier, and less restrictive days ahead. So…much…life!

If I only focused on the negatives or the “difficults,” I could’ve missed this season’s purpose entirely. God is reminding me that He is the giver of life—that He has given us life eternal through His Son Jesus Christ and that He gives abundant life every day through His loving-kindness. He’s reminding me that His plans are for my good—not to harm me but to give me a hope and a future (Jer. 29:11)—what a life-giving purpose!

I may not order many pumpkin spice lattes in the upcoming weeks (they’re not really my thing), and I may get annoyed when too many dead leaves start to pile up in my yard. I may have a challenge figuring out what to wear due to a limited fall wardrobe, and I may get caught in the rain a few times (this is northwest Oregon, after all!). I may find that I’ve missed out on some great end-of-season sales here and there. But one thing I will purpose to do—to see life—to speak it and declare it and to run with it. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free (Gal. 5:1a—punctuation emphasis added)! “Freedom” means “the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.” It also has to do with not being prisoned or enslaved.

God has said in this season, “Be unlimited, not hindered. Be a life live-er, not a survivor. Grab on to new experiences that will lift you up; don’t be content to stay in the doldrums.” And finally, “Give out of what you have received—"A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you (Luke 6:38).””

So I am not averting my path to avoid the unpleasant; I am staying in the path of life. It is coming to me, and it will come to you. Certainly, I’ve been through periods of winter—and know that it was only by the grace of God that I came out the other side so my soul could experience spring once again. And I’ve been through the raging summers—where the pressure was turned up and everything was tense—and intense.

If all my digits were thumbs, I can almost guarantee that not one of them would be green. I’m not a gardener. I’m much better at killing things than helping them to thrive. But God is saying, “This is a fruitful time. Watch what I’m doing.” I stand amazed by the season I find myself in. And by a God who does all things well and makes all things new.