A Time and Season

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NIV)

3 There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under heaven:

²     a time to be born and a time to die,
    a time to plant and a time to uproot,
³     a time to kill and a time to heal,
    a time to tear down and a time to build,
⁴     a time to weep and a time to laugh,
    a time to mourn and a time to dance,
⁵     a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
⁶     a time to search and a time to give up,
    a time to keep and a time to throw away,
⁷     a time to tear and a time to mend,
    a time to be silent and a time to speak,
⁸     a time to love and a time to hate,
    a time for war and a time for peace.

When you think about it, all of life is comprised of “seasons”.  If you can think of your life in terms of seasons within the context that there is a beginning and end, a start and a finish, then making transition will be so much easier.   The process of change won’t be so disconcerting as it is for most people, and you’ll find yourself looking forward to the future.  In fact, if you maintain this perspective, you will find yourself always living in the future, anticipating all of its possibilities.  WOW!  How exciting is that! 

Now, if you are a child of God, your seasons probably don’t start and end when “you” want them to; our steps are indeed ordered by the Lord.  There is a timing of God that is absolutely critical to our ability to transition to the next level in any area of life – marriage, education, career, ministry, etc.  To discern the timing of God for the next season of your life requires you do 3 things:  listen, trust and obey.  You need ears to hear what the Spirit of God is saying.   Listen when He speaks, trust Him to guide and direct you, and then promptly obey when He opens the door. 

That’s where I am.  In the last few years of preparation for ministry, there was a time when I thought I completely missed God.  However, recently as I’ve sought the Lord on the next season of my ministry life, the Lord spoke and confirmed the fact that I had not missed Him at all; I have arrived at this place right on time.  God has even sent a group of women to come along side of me (I think they are my spiritual midwives!) to help me give birth to the vision of my heart.  I’ve been seeking the Lord for a period of time to be able to completely prepare and focus before the next season starts.  It is in this place that I must hear God for His divine timing. 

What season are you in?  Is God speaking to you about transition?  Listen, trust and obey.