Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. Unlike some other places in the world, here in Pennsylvania we get the full range of seasons. While the seasons can be unpredictable from year to year, we generally get to experience snow in the winter, rain in the spring, heat in the summer, and leaves turning in the fall. Seasons of life work in the same manner. However, when it comes to the seasons of life, we usually don’t know what season is coming next. What we do know is that at this moment, we are only living in a one specific “season” of life. Therefore, we should be anticipating that season to change.
Solomon, the wisest man that ever lived, wrote the words of Ecclesiastes as one who had experienced and contemplated the meaning of the seasons of life. Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit he penned these words long before man could have envisioned our current situation. That is why the words in this passage are still relevant for today. Take a moment to read Ecclesiastes 3:1-14 right now, then take a look at how these specific phrases apply to your situation right now:
v.3 – “a time to break down, and a time to build up” – Have you been living in a season where finances, mental health, or relationships are “breaking down” around you? It is only a season. There is coming a season where you will be built back up again.
v.4 – “a time to weep, and a time to laugh” – Have you found yourself in a season where there is more weeping than laughing? It is only a season. There is coming a season where your life will be dominated by joy, happiness and laughter again.
v.5 – “a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing” – There is no doubt that we are living in a season where we must “refrain from embracing” right now. It is only a season. For those that miss the welcoming embrace of those they love, there is a time coming when embracing will be no longer be taboo.
v.7 – “a time to keep silence, and a time to speak” – This is a hard one for any season of life. Knowing when to sit in silence and when to stand up and speak out for your rights requires a lot of wisdom. There is a time and season for both responses.
What can we learn from this? Life on planet earth is temporal. It is fleeting. Seasons change. There will be hard times as well as easy ones. Understanding the nature of the seasons of life is critical, but it should not leave us with a fatalistic attitude toward life. Actually, it is meant to point us to something (and someone) who does not change with the seasons: God himself!
v.14 – “I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.” God will never change. This includes all of his attributes and attitudes such as His love for us, His sovereignty over us, and His grace towards us. These truths that we know about God are meant to sustain us through the changing seasons as we live our lives for Him. Seasons WILL change. God will NOT!