There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build…(Ecclesiastes 3:1-3 NIV)
I invite you to go to this video, close your eyes while you listen to it, and see all the scenes she paints with the music and lyrics. It’s amazing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9DDJdgl3pE
Several years ago I attended a conference that started with a “heart check” – how’s the state of your relationship with God? The speaker talked about life, especially our spiritual life, as having seasons – spring (new life beginning), summer (great life), fall (transition/things falling apart or dying), winter (spiritual hibernation/death). I have experienced at different times each of those seasons. The fall and winter ones are really hard, but often have the most beautiful and unexpected blessings. The beginning of a spiritual spring or summer can be hard to recognize – sometimes we don’t want to believe it or we don’t even realize it’s come. And yet those spring and summer times are great times of living life to the full. The writer of Ecclesiastes says that “there is a season for everything under heaven” (3:1) and that “there is nothing new under the sun” (1:9). So, I (we) are not the only ones who believe life has seasons.
In John 10:10, Jesus says He came to give us life in abundance—life to the full. Lately, I’ve been reflecting on how I am experiencing that abundance, at least as much as we can on earth. It occurred to me that I’m in a “summer” season of life—my home life, kids, marriage, church, friends, and everything else is going really well. I know that things can change, but I also recognize the importance of appreciating and enjoying this season of earthly abundance. Life is good. It would be easy to write about and celebrate my current slice of abundant life.
At different times, I’ve had conversations with friends who are going through a difficult “fall” seasons in their lives—feeling like things are falling apart. Choices and circumstances have come together in such a way that they struggle to see where the abundant life is amidst the chaos. While I can (and should) celebrate my own “summer” season, giving thanks to God for this blessing, a friend’s “fall” season can also weigh heavily on my heart.
“Every Season” by Nicole Nordeman
Every evening sky, an invitation
To trace the patterned stars
And early in July, a celebration
For freedom that is ours
And I notice You
In children’s games
In those who watch them from the shade
Every drop of sun is full of fun and wonder
You are summer
And even when the trees have just surrendered
To the harvest time
Forfeiting their leaves in late September
And sending us inside
Still I notice You when change begins
And I am braced for colder winds
I will offer thanks for what has been and was to come
You are autumn
And everything in time and under heaven
Finally falls asleep
Wrapped in blankets white, all creation
Shivers underneath
And still I notice you
When branches crack
And in my breath on frosted glass
Even now in death, You open doors for life to enter
You are winter
And everything that’s new has bravely surfaced
Teaching us to breathe
What was frozen through is newly purposed
Turning all things green
So it is with You
And how You make me new
With every season’s change
And so it will be
As You are re-creating me
Summer, autumn, winter, spring*
God is able to speak, move, exhort, and bless us in whatever season we are in. And we should give thanks that God IS in every season. So we pray…
God of all seasons, all places, all times,
We thank you for being the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Thank you for your faithfulness and that your promises are true. Thank you for watching over us, loving us no matter what, and offering grace & mercy. Thank you for celebrating with us, for helping us absorb change, for carrying us when we are too tired or broken or confused to walk for ourselves.
We pray for those who are in fall seasons of life…bracing for colder winds & change…
For those trudging through winter seasons…wating for opening doors and for life to enter…
For those, perhaps unknowingly, starting to see spring arise…and realizing you are making all things new…
And for those who are living a spiritual summer…for those immersed in fun and wonder…
Help us embrace your abundant life in every season of our lives.
In Christ’s name we pray, Amen
*”Every Season” – Recorded by Nicole Nordeman; Songwriters: Erasmo Carlos / Roberto Carlos; lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
(adapted from post published May 30, 2022 and April 13, 2010)