Changing Seasons

Changing Seasons

The weather is finally getting warm enough in Wisconsin that I have decided to transition from the heavy cold-weather coats to the lighter spring and summer ones. Cleaning out the closet I have taken the winter coats and washed and dried them. They will now be put into the protective bags in which they will stay until next winter. Then they will be put away, out of sight, until next fall when the chill again returns to be air. I have already freshened and hung up the thinner jackets that we will wear during the next several months. (It is still getting cold at night, but we can layer sweaters and jackets if needed.)

The switchover in our closet is just one signal of the changing seasons of weather. Many other things happen at this time. The snow blower is put away and the lawn mower has been brought out. Shovels are replaced with rakes. Gardening equipment is being brought to the front shelves while ice pellets are put away. Window screens are replacing storm windows and dashboard sunshades are moved from the garage to each car. Although it is occurring about a month later than normal, it is exciting to finally see the season of warmer weather be upon us.

As we have set about these projects, I think about the changing of seasons in our walk with God. Regardless of what has been going on in our lives there will always be change. Scripture tells us. “To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose 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 get and a time to lose, a time to keep and a time to cast away, A time to rend 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. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 AMP) For every time of trial there will be a time of release. Following times of great victory and happiness will come future trials. It is the way of life in this world. There is right time for it all.

God truly cares for each one of his children. King David wrote, “Your eyes saw my unformed substance, and in Your book all the days [of my life] were written before ever they took shape, when as yet there was none of them.” (Psalm 139:16 AMP) God has ordained every day that we shall ever live. Like the long, cold winter gives way to spring, warmer winds of change will again blow in our lives. The seasons of trial will always come to an end even if not as quickly as we had expected. Though delayed, wait with anticipation for the next step God has for you.  “For the vision is yet for an appointed time and it hastens to the end [fulfillment]; it will not deceive or disappoint. Though it tarry, wait [earnestly] for it, because it will surely come; it will not be behindhand on its appointed day.” (Habakkuk 2:3 AMP) Wait patiently and with a thankful and hopeful heart for your deliverance.

We will experience trial and deliverance, more trials and more deliverance. “Many evils confront the [consistently] righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” (Psalm 34:19 AMP) How we act during these times is important. There is blessings coming when we trust in God. “Blessed (happy, to be envied) is the man who is patient under trial and stands up under temptation, for when he has stood the test and been approved, he will receive [the victor's] crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him.” (James 1:12 AMP) Remembering the promise of that coming crown, will help us to rejoice and not give up in tough times. We can also remember this promise. “Do not, therefore, fling away your fearless confidence, for it carries a great and glorious compensation of reward.” (Hebrews 10:35 AMP) A reward, a crown and a promise of better days all come from the Lord.

God knows the times and seasons of our lives. Although there will be hurt there will be great happiness. Welcome and treasure the new season when it arrives. When in the season of peace, rest in God and enjoy it, but be ready for the coming of other cold winds. God does all things well. “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He also has planted eternity in men's hearts and minds [a divinely implanted sense of a purpose working through the ages which nothing under the sun but God alone can satisfy], yet so that men cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11 AMP)

Spring has finally come and it will lead to summer. Summer will give way to autumn and as hard as it is to believe right now there will be a time that we anxiously await the first snowflakes to fall. Enjoy every season of your life always remembering that seasons change. Change with them.