"Seasons"

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.” Each of us is in a time and a season “under heaven.” This season must be discerned in order to make wise choices. What is your season? It may look and feel different than mine. I believe that “seasons” are a multi-level event. There is a season for an individual; a community; a region and a nation. Our world is in a “season.” Knowing what each one of these looks like will help us to determine the appropriate course of action for our lives. Is it a time of war or peace? Regardless of which season it is, as long as it is “under heaven” and on this side of eternity, it is hevel—temporary. So if the going is tuff "this too shall pass!" If everything is great, don't get too comfortable. Habel, habalim! Regardless of which season it is, God is sovereign. Life is a string of seasons that are both negative and positive in circumstance, much like war and peace, all of which God is a part. He is present in every one of them, guiding us through if we can only trust him. He is active in them and forming us through them. We must remember to “take the good with the bad.” Job said in the worst season of his life “The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21). “Fear the Lord” in your seasons and enjoy the work He has given you to do in them. Enjoy the blessings of today no matter what season you are in for this is your portion. Eccl.7:14 “In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him.”