There’s a lot of talk in Christian circles about seasons. It’s become a bit of a buzz word. But why is that? This week, I want to look a little deeper, together, at the seasons and cycles of our lives, cultures, and the people of God.
It’s actually very easy to be in the midst of a season or even caught in a cycle and not realize it. Today I want us to ask ourselves two questions which may help us make the most of wherever we may be.
The first is this: “What season or cycle am I in?” If we look at the people of God (that’s us), we see periods of flourishing and exile, of building and tearing down, of purpose and wandering. We should ask ourselves if we might be in a specific season as the people of God. And ask what that might mean for us and for our community. Too often we focus only on our personal journey but we are part of a larger family and the grand story of what God is doing.
At a personal level we should be aware of the seasons and cycles as well. Name the season. Describe it. Discern how you might have ended up here. One of the best ways we can do all this is by talking with those who know us best.
The second question is this: “God, what do you want me to learn?” God is gracious and compassionate and never wasteful. If he is allowing us to be in a certain season we should be looking for the ways that he is working, leading us to become the people he created us to be. Sometimes we may find ourselves caught in unhealthy cycles or difficult seasons which seem like they cannot possibly be from God. While this may be true – that God didn’t cause us to be in that cycle or season – it is my deep personal experience that even in those times God is mysteriously and lovingly at work.
Take a few minutes to reflect on the seasons of your life and of the people of God – both now and historically. Ask God to help you discern where you may be today and what he wants you to learn. And remember, through every season, he is faithful. Plant yourself in the streams of his living word and you will flourish.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Joel
Joel Searby
