“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.” (Ecc. 3:1)

Each of us travels through many seasons throughout our lives. Sometimes the seasons are very long and at other times they are short. Often they change even without our awareness of the start of a new season.

The Lord created seasons and He has a unique purpose for each one. The seasons in our lives are many and varied and they occasionally overlap. Some of the seasons include:

– birth, death

– growing, resting

– struggle, jubilation

– planting, harvesting

– speaking, silence

– hurt, forgiveness.

So what happens when you are not in a “fun” season? You know what I mean – car repairs, health issues, financial struggles, parental challenges as well as a multitude of other trials and tribulations. In our season of struggles the Lord has the opportunity to forge faith, strength and patience in us.

We can grumble and complain like the Israelites in the wilderness or we can use this season to examine the areas in our lives that need to be transformed. A season filled with struggles presents an incredible opportunity for us to grow strong in the Lord, if we allow His work in our lives and don’t resist.

What happens when you are in a “fun” season? Everyone likes the fun seasons – jubilation, harvest, birth, forgiveness. These seasons are equally important because they demonstrate the Father’s heart. He rejoices with us when there has been a breakthrough, a returned prodigal or an exponential harvest. These seasons encourage and restore us.

Lately, I have been thinking a lot about the season of rest. Rest is very important. God rested on the seventh day. Nature rests during the winter. A seed rests until it is planted. Dormancy is essential or burn out can occur.

Rest is vital in God’s kingdom because it is like taking a vacation. You get out of your normal routine. You taste new experiences. You get to “let go.”

For me a season of rest is relaxing in the Lord and knowing that He has “my back covered.”  I also believe that a resting season is a reward from the Lord, as well as the time to renew both physically and spiritually.

Resting does not mean you do nothing. During the resting season you still take advantage of the opportunities that miraculously appear, but I have noticed an unmistakable, supernatural flow that is not as evident during the other seasons.

Daniel 2:21 tells us that “He changes times and seasons; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.”

Graciously accept your current season knowing that the Lord, Who created the seasons, has a plan for your life.  You never know what you might discover just around the corner.

~ Marianne