That’s a question – do you know? We all have times of sadness, but also joy; pain, but also healing; confusion, but also confidence, deserts, but also times of learnings and good works. We have multiple kinds of seasons. Do you sense, know them when you are experiencing them? Mostly, do you learn as well as rest during those times?
Seasons are not punishments. It isn’t because you do/did/didn’t do something you should/shouldn’t. I think they are times for us to reassess, review, refine, rest. Goodness… you need to know what season you’re in, then look to the why. Remember scripture that has taught you. Know you can ask and that you will find answers.
In terms of seasons, one example: If you have the ‘doing’ gene it is easy to get caught up in doing, doing, doing. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a strong advocate of application, of putting feet to what is known and understood. However, it’s important to make time for input too. Actually, this is almost the opposite of the sponge approach. The sponge person takes, takes, takes but never applies what’s been learned. I do think there’s a ‘happy’ medium. Everyone knows:
“There is a season (a time appointed) for everything and a time for every delight and event or purpose under heaven— A time to be born and a time to die; A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted. A time to kill and a time to heal; A time to tear 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 throw away stones and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing. A time to search and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to [a]tear apart and a time to sew together; A time to keep silent and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate; A time for war and a time for peace.” [Ecclesiastes 3:1-8]
Many times we only see (feel?) the extremes. First – do you really think the Father only sees the negative things you do and say? Do they outweigh the good things? Second… think about the source of your sight (feelings) – is it condemning? criticizing? shaming? If so, then that doesn’t come from the Father. Yes, He corrects and chastises but He never shames or condemns. If that’s what you’re thinking and/or feeling, then the source is our primary enemy. He hates us. He stands accusing us day and night to God (Revelation 12:10). And what does God do?
“For the Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” [1 Samuel 16:7b]
The Father already knows we are weak and frail, prone to danger and fear. Still, He loves us enough to give us free will to make our own decisions. But also He gives us strength and once we have accepted Jesus’ Lordship – the Holy Spirit within us to do the right and resist the wrong.
Every season has pluses and minuses but we can grow, understand, apply what we learn in every situation. I realize that many people operate from the basis that they learn more from their mistakes. It really would be sad if they didn’t take the time to learn from their successes too. Just as you can redirect from mistakes you can apply those aspects that do work. So learn from the season you are in. Apply what you know is pleasing to the Lord and learn those things that are not pleasing.
A season is simply that. Once that time is over, don’t regret you didn’t take advantage of what you could have… but don’t repeat the wasting either.
