“The seasons are what a symphony ought to be: four perfect movements in harmony with each other.” — Arthur Rubinstein

“Cherish every season of life; for without coldness, there is no comfort in warmth, and without darker days, there is no joy in light.” — Samuel Butler

“Autumn, the season that teaches us, that change, can be beautiful.” – Heather Stillufsen

The fall is fast approaching us!  I remember when I lived in southern Utah, as you looked up toward Cedar Mountain, the mountain side was sprinkled with reds, yellows, and browns.  The picture I attached to this article was taken from Zion Overlook – just a few miles from Cedar City.  It’s as if God used a paint brush – adding colors to His masterpiece!  At the higher elevations, the seasons are so short!  I remember it wasn’t until July that the snow was finally gone, and the flowers began to bloom.  This time of year, in mid-September, the aspens begin turning colors and a new season emerges with a grandeur and beauty hard to express in words.

Life is filled with seasons. 

The Bible says, “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.  A time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to pluck what is planted; a time to heal, 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 gain and a time to lose; a time to keep and a time to throw away.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1-4, and 6

What season of life are you currently experiencing?  Are you experiencing a spring of new growth and beginnings?  Are you going through a winter period – a time of lifelessness and regeneration?  Are you in the middle of a summer period where life is filled with sunshine and pleasant days?

Whatever season you are currently experiencing, here are some things to remember:

Connect with the Season You Are Experiencing Now

“Be aware of what season you are in and give yourself the grace to be there.” — Kristen Dalton

As the Bible verse states above, there is “a time for every purpose under heaven.”  We often forget there is a purpose within each season of life.  Too often, we want to avoid seasons that are unpleasant but are necessary and vital to our lives.  This is why it is important to embrace the season you are experiencing now.  Look hard at it, pray about it, and ask for God’s help in understanding the purposes behind it.  Whatever you do, don’t rush into another season!  In an effort to avoid or escape discomfort, don’t disrupt the natural order of God’s purposes for you.

We want every day to be summer, but without a fall, winter, and spring, summer would never come.  There is a sort of paradoxical unity that binds them together. One cannot be if it weren’t for the other.

When I look at my own life, I hated some of the winters I experienced – times where all seemed dead, hopeless and dreary.  But as a new spring approached in my life, filled with new growth and new beginnings, I began to realize how important that past winter was – how certain things needed to die and go dormant in order for a new life to take root.  Now, when the summer of life comes, I will appreciate the sunshine even more!      

Understand that Seasons End and New Ones Begin

“The only thing constant in life is change.” — Francois de la Rochefoucauld 

“No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn” – Hal Borland

If you are in a personal period of winter right now, realize it is only a season.  Winter cannot remain forever.  In fact, spring is right around the corner for you!  If life is great for you and you are experiencing a period of summer sunshine, filled with warmth and blessings, realize it is only for a season.  Fall is fast approaching and the winters of your life will return again.

Personally, too often I have remained mentally stuck in a season.  When I was dealing with a winter period, I thought it would never end.  My thoughts, behaviors and actions were so centered in the season, I behaved as though it would always be winter in my life – mentally prohibiting me from moving through the seasons in a normal, healthy fashion.

I also had summer periods, filled with sunshine and blessings, which I mistreated and misunderstood.  I thought everyday would (and SHOULD BE) summer!  I thought it would never end, and when it did, I was devastated!  If I had only realized it was a season, ever changing and shifting, I would have appreciated it more and acted differently during those times of great blessing.

Seek God Within Each Season

“The LORD is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” — Hebrews 13:8

“We must remember that there are different seasons in our lives and to let God do what He wants to do within each of those seasons.” – Joyce Meyer

God understands our lives in a deeper, more meaningful way than we ourselves do.  He clearly sees the purposes behind the seasons of our lives.  This is why it’s so important to look for God in each season – seeking His help in understanding them and His strength to endure them.

In winter periods, trust God in the moments of hopelessness and despair – having a confidence that the winter season has a purpose in your life.   In periods of spring, ask God to show you the purposes behind your new growth and development – understanding how it has changed you and the value it has added to you and others.  In the summer periods, thank God for all His blessings, embracing them in a deeper way – asking Him to help you see opportunities to share and bless others with your good fortune.  As the fall season approaches in your life, when change and confusion abound, have faith that God is moving you to the next season – to a new level of growth and maturity.

God bless you, my friend, no matter what season you are currently experiencing.  May He give you the wisdom to see them, the patience to endure them, and the knowledge to use them to His glory and the service of others!

Most importantly my friend, remember the seasons of your life change, but our immutable God never does 🙂