Sitting here in South Dakota, I know the dread of winter is near. Winter comes and things shut down, it gets dark earlier and the negative degree temperatures are just around in the corner. Seasons changing is a fact of life. However, the Bible also tells us the we go through these same sort of changes in our own lives.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 tells us
To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:
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.
What are some things that we can learn from this ancient poetic literature.
First seasons of life don't last forever. When we are in a season of life we should be preparing for what's next. We are not promised the next season, but we know that eventually a season will come to a change and bring a new one with it.
Second we learn to be gracious towards others. We have no idea sometimes what season of life an individual is going through. We should learn to be gracious and try and put ourselves in others shoes and show empathy towards others as Christ would.
Third, we can continue to serve God no matter what season of life we find ourselves in. In fact the expectation is that we will do this regardless. What season we find ourselves in should not dictate whether we are a faithful Christian or not. Through the thick and the thin we should always cling to Lord Jesus.
Fourth, while we are still on this earth it is never too late to turn our lives around and follow Jesus. Some may think they are far too gone, but that is never the case. While we still have breathe in our lungs, no matter what season we are in, we can turn to Jesus.
Fifth and finally, remember in the dark seasons seasons come and go. Don't become too discouraged amid a season, but remember that it will draw to a close. Remember Jesus through the season and look for the light at the end of the tunnel. When that will come? I can not answer that with full assurance, but seasons do change.
Comments