Embrace Every Season
By Whitney Hopler
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:” – Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)
Spring is my favorite season, because it features so much that speaks to my soul about renewal. New leaves emerge on trees, flowers bloom, baby animals are born, strong winds blow, and rain showers refresh the air. I always enjoy walking in nature, but I especially enjoy doing so during spring. Every springtime walk leaves me feeling invigorated by all the renewal I see around me. Spring highlights the beauty of change. It reminds me of how God, through his Holy Spirit, is constantly renewing us with the strength we need during each season of our lives.
The Bible points out in Ecclesiastes 3:1 that there is a time for everything and a season for every activity. It goes on throughout that chapter to describe all sorts of activities we do during our human lives, and challenges us to consider God’s eternal perspective on our lives. Everything we have time to do, and every season we get to live, is a gift from God. So, let’s not waste the valuable time we’ve received. Let’s plan to use it to live as fully as we can during each season of our lives.
To live fully means to embrace each season wholeheartedly, living with purpose and savoring the wonder of God’s work in our lives during each season. Here are ways to do so:
Be present. Pay attention to the present moment, and to God’s presence with you in that moment. In a world filled with distractions and busyness, make time every day to slow down and intentionally connect with God through prayer and meditation. Seek God through practices that can help you notice God with you, such as wonder breaks, breath awareness, and journaling. Thank God for his constant presence with you, and enjoy experiencing it fully through your undivided attention.
Seek God’s guidance. In every season of life, seek God’s wisdom to guide your decisions. Pray daily for guidance and listen for God speaking to your heart and mind. Keep in mind that God’s guidance always involves putting love into action somehow. Ask God to lead you to opportunities to spread his love in this season of your life. Maybe that will involve being kind on purpose, forgiving someone who has hurt you, or helping people in need. Perhaps God will lead you to share the Gospel message with someone who is looking for hope. God could be challenging you to say “yes” to a new project he wants you to work on or a new relationship he wants you to develop. As God leads you, trust that God is faithful to lead you in the way you should go. Seek God’s will above all else, knowing that God wants what is truly best for you.
Grow and learn. Every season of life offers an opportunity for growth and learning. So, become a lifelong learner who embraces what God wants to teach you in each season. Lean into the lessons that each season brings into your life, allowing them to shape you into the person God created you to be. As you cultivate a teachable spirit and a willingness to learn, God will use every season of life to help you grow in holiness.
Embrace change. Life is marked by seasons of change, and each season offers its own set of blessings and challenges. Instead of resisting change, learn to embrace it as a natural part of your journey through life. Just as the seasons transition seamlessly from one to the next, trust that God is orchestrating every change in your life for a greater purpose. Whether you’re experiencing a season of joy or sorrow, trust that God is using every situation to shape you into the person he has called you to be. Embrace change as an opportunity for growth and renewal, knowing that God is with you every step of the way.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
As you reflect on embracing every season of your life, consider these questions:
- How can you pay closer attention to God with you in the present moment?
- How can you cultivate more contentment and gratitude right now?
- Are there any areas of your life where you’re resisting change? If so, how can you surrender those areas to God and embrace the change you’re facing?
- In what ways are you actively seeking to learn and grow in your current season of life?
- How can you trust more in God’s timing for answering your prayers?
Reflect on the ways God has been faithful to you throughout different seasons of your life. How does remembering God’s faithfulness give you hope and confidence for the future?
Further Reading:
Psalm 1:3
Jeremiah 29:11-13
Galatians 6:9
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/dohtar
Whitney Hopler helps people discover God's wonder and experience awe. She is the author of several books, including the nonfiction books Wake Up to Wonder and Wonder Through the Year: A Daily Devotional for Every Year, and the young adult novel Dream Factory. Whitney has served as an editor at leading media organizations, including Crosswalk.com, The Salvation Army USA’s national publications, and Dotdash.com (where she produced a popular channel on angels and miracles). She currently leads the communications work at George Mason University’s Center for the Advancement of Well-Being. Connect with Whitney on her website at www.whitneyhopler.com, on Facebook, and on X/Twitter.
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