“Thank you Lord Jesus that you allowed us to live all the seasons of life together.” Several years ago, I attended the funeral for the wife of an elderly Bishop who preached her eulogy and the above quote was his closing prayer. This thought of the seasons of life stayed with me. Since then, I have prayed that my wife and I will enjoy all the seasons of life together. God instituted seasons for the earth at creation. Then God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years” (Gen 1:14). The word season means an appointed or fixed period of time. I began realizing that life as a whole is also composed of various seasons.
In its simplest form, we can view life as a collection of five seasons: childhood, teenage, young adult, adult, and senior adult. Just as the seasons of nature, each period of life possesses its own characteristics and God designed a different purpose for each one. The biggest issue most people face revolves around transitioning from one season to the next. Often, this results from a fear of the unknowns in the next season. Any farmer or gardener knows the importance of understanding the seasons. Imagine a farmer who begins plowing in early spring but refuses to plant because he loves plowing and fears planting seed. Needless to say, he will not harvest any produce in the fall for food during the winter.
I imagine the hardest transition for people comes when moving from adult to senior adult. The Western world has set 65 years as the magical number. As I approached this season, the Holy Spirit brought me to Isaiah 28:23-29. This parable about God’s seasons concerning judgment of the nations also contains valuable applications about life’s seasons. We can typically summarize adult life as a time of digging, plowing, and planting. Yet, whether at 65 or 70, a time comes when we must move into the next season. God asked the prophet, Does the farmer plow continually to plant seed? Does he continually turn and harrow the ground? Does he not level its surface And sow dill and scatter cummin And plant wheat in rows, Barley in its place and rye within its area (Isa 28:24, 25)? Moving to this season does not mean God stops using us. God’s purpose usually remains the same but through a different medium. Although, I am in good health, I have accepted I can’t earn extra money climbing and repairing radio towers as I once did. Neither, can I jet all over the world and bounce around on dirt roads for three weeks in order to teach in remote areas. Such realities of life’s transitions may take time for our minds to accept. Christians can feel like failures without purpose because they are unable to do the same types of ministry as they once did. Rather than give up, let God lead you to new methods.
God’s words to Isaiah teach He instituted a time when we move from digging, plowing, and planting. We transition to a period of harvest and reaping from the produce of our labor. Wheat is threshed and milled, but still not endlessly (v28 MSG). For me God’s purpose remained the same but through a different medium. Now I reap from a lifetime of study and the lessons I learned through the years and distribute my teaching through writing via the multiple forms of today’s media technology. Developing skills in these new unknowns requires a process of learning. Everyday God teaches me and stretches my faith as He leads me in this new season.
Note several important factors about the seasons of life. All seasons, whether in nature or our individual life, involve change. Most people shun change because status quo becomes safe and comfortable. A new season thrust us into the unknown requiring we grow spiritually to a new level of faith and trust in God. A key component is embracing our new season and not living in denial of changes. A good example of denial happens with people’s appearance—thus cosmetic surgery, hair coloring products, Botox, toupees, etc. Some Hollywood paparazzi specialize in photographing famous seniors without their makeup. Note the scriptures’ view of gray hair. A gray head is a crown of glory; It is found in the way of righteousness (Pro 16:31). Finally, do not allow the pain of a past season to destroy the joy of your current time in life. Remember, a new season brings new beginnings and a new period in your life.
You may think you have no fruit to harvest or share. Yet, look around you. Do you have children or grandchildren? Do you have knowledge and experience you can sow in someone’s life? God can give you a new means of sowing. Seasons are by God’s design from the time of creation. We honor and worship the Lord when we embrace our present season.
Sustaining Word for the Week: Embrace your season by faith and see all that God has designed for you. He will supply the wisdom you need to maneuver through this time of unknowns. You will glorify His name.