Experiencing seasons

I love living in Minnesota where we get to experience 4 distinct seasons. Yes, winter may feel long, that’s why I didn’t say “equal”. It may not come as a surprise, but we just had one of the most beautiful springs I’ve seen in the last 10 years. Spring is beautiful. Just recently, I overheard two people talking about the first robin they saw, trying to determine who saw one first. The cool evenings and the crisp mornings encapsulate the ever-becoming more warm sun during the day.

 

Then there’s summer. And so far, at the time of the writing of this article, summer has been a little weird. Usually by now, it’s getting pretty hot, but we really haven’t seen it yet. Did I just jinx us? Sorry! My son works at the Waseca waterpark, and between some stormy days and a cool one, the weather hasn’t been overly cooperative for those wanting to enjoy the heat of the summer. But our church is located right near the waterpark and so we get to hear the joy and excitement of the kids as they enjoy their summer vacation.

 

I know no one wants to hear or read this, but it’s no secret…summer won’t be here forever. Soon it will be autumn, and school will be back in session. Our local sports teams will begin their contests again and the stadiums will be full of cheering fans. And at just the right time, the leaves will turn their brilliant hues of oranges, reds, and yellows. And we will marvel at their beauty. Then, in due time, they will turn brown, and they will fall and we will all groan at the tedious task of raking the leaves.

 

Whether we like it or not, winter will come. This is the season kids love, but most adults despise. Whether it’s the unknowns of driving, the plowing or shoveling of our driveways, the bitter cold, or the limited sunlight, winter is often the season we complain about the most.

 

I guess it’s human nature to complain. Even Adam did it when he blamed Eve, and then ultimately his Creator upon his eating of the forbidden fruit. Paul warns us not to complain or grumble in Philippians 2:14-15. He also reminds the church in 1 Corinthians 10:10 not to grumble like the Israelites did in the wilderness.

 

I guess my question to you as you read this is: which season do you tend to grumble in the most? Why? It’s easy to find the frustration, annoyance, or disappointment in things that don’t cooperate. So, when life doesn’t cooperate, what do you do?

 

The truth is, we will always go through seasons that don’t bring joy. We will always go through times in our lives that we wish we could just move on to a “better” time. Those feelings won’t ever really change. What can change is how we respond when those seasons come into our lives.

 

Maybe your go-to is grumbling or complaining. Maybe it’s controlling. Maybe it’s sadness or depression. Maybe it’s anger. Each of these emotions really just do one thing: distract us from the truth of God’s character.

 

Let’s be honest here. Every single character in the beautiful story of the Bible was flawed. That’s really great news. Every single one of them minus Christ, who was the perfect human, had something that displayed their broken humanity. Gideon saw himself as the weakest and required two proofs before he would trust God. Jacob was a deceiver. Joseph in the Old Testament was perhaps impetuous and prideful in his youth. Moses tried to get out of speaking to Pharaoh. And the list goes on. Here’s the kicker: God didn’t wait for a better season to call these people. It was in the middle of their rough season, when God called them to their purpose.

 

And what I believe to be true in your life and in mine, is this: God won’t wait until you get yourself out of your tough season for Him to work in your life. In fact, the season you are in now is more than likely His preparation in you! God is using this season of your life so that when He calls you to a seemingly impossible task, your response isn’t “no, send someone else”, it’s “here I am, send me!” God’s delays aren’t often His denials, but His declaration that He is good and He is working all things for our good.

 

So, hear me, please. Enjoy summer. If you physically love this season because you’re a teacher or because you love having your kids home all day every day, enjoy it. It’s short. It’ll be over before you know it. Eek! And if you’re in a “summer season” when everything feels right, and good, and you’re loving life, remember to seek God who has placed you in this season for a purpose. Use it to bring glory to Him.

 

And if you are in another season where life is hard, I want you to know, I understand. Life. Is. Hard. And it’s not fair. Know as I type this, I am praying for you and your situation. Take this little nugget with you: You are seen and loved by our heavenly Father, even in your diaicult season. You are never too far from Him that you can’t call out to Him. He will hear you and answer you. Your season may not be over yet; you may still have a long way to go. But He is present with you through it all. And don’t rush it. God’s timing is always perfect.

 

Blessings to you as you pass through all four seasons.