SEASONS OF LIFE
For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away. A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet 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 (NLT)
Life is full of seasons. Sometimes, the seasons are joyous and full of blessings. Other times, they're difficult and full of hardship. In every season, God remains sovereign and good.
What season of life are you in right now?
Are you in a season of needing to press forward? You feel like you have to find a way to take that next step right now. There are obstacles and challenges along the way, but you know where God has directed you, and you know you need to move. Then, in the name of Jesus—move to the glory of God.
Are you in a season of needing to slow down? Maybe even stop? Do you need to create some space to be still, silent and seek God in solitude? Perhaps you're coming out of a season of pressing forward, and know that God is leading you to simply abide in Him. Then, in the name of Jesus—stop to the glory of God.
May we never, in our arrogance, sprint ahead of God. May we never, in our laziness, lag behind Him. Let us move at His speed. Consider what the author of Ecclesiastes says just a few verses down from our main passage (Ecclesiastes 3:11 NLT):
Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NLT)
No matter your season—remember that He is sovereign and good.
APPLICATION: Ask God to give you clarity about the season you're in and what steps you should take in accordance with that.
PRAYER: God, thank You for various seasons of life. Help me to seek You always, acknowledging Your provision and graciousness. In Jesus' name, amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?