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With humble stature this tree stands among giants in the midst of a forest. Most of the year it goes unnoticed, but in the right season it is transformed into rare beauty as the forest around it fades into winter. In God’s perfect timing, it’s leaves experience gorgeous color changes as it adapts to changing light. In the final change, the leaves turn radiant yellow and like a passing wind, they are gone as the tree sleeps for the winter.
Without question the Holy Spirit was speaking to me as I saw this vibrant tree while passing by. Thankfully, something prompted me to stop and photograph it. Just a few days later I returned to take more photos of it, but its leaves had fallen.
In His wisdom God weaves seasons into life. Change is part of life we can not escape. Sometimes we are “living the dream,” filled with happiness, and at other times, our hearts are heavy because hardship, suffering or loss. But we must remember God is faithful! He is working all things for our God as He conforms us to the image of Jesus while preparing us for eternity. As I reflect on changes in the seasons of my life, I’m drawn to God’s Word.
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. What do workers gain from their toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” - Ecclesiastes 3:1-11
As my former pastor and friend would say, “So What?” What should we take away from this passage?
(1) No matter what season your in, you can know that no season lasts forever and often seasons come in opposites.
(2) The season you're in is not a reflection of your goodness or badness. Bad things happen to good people. No matter what the season, Jesus is with you, even if it is a season of fire. God is transforming you and teaching you through good and bad times. “As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” — John 9:1-3.
(3) Don’t let the season determine who you are. Build your life on the hope and truth of God’s Word. His truth and plan for you do not change because of a changing world! Keep your eyes on Him and the hope of Heaven before you.
(4) In all seasons be dedicated to doing the will of God with a grateful heart, so the “fruits of the Spirit” abound in you (love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control — Galatians 5:22-23).
(5) Finally, don’t let the season inside you be influenced by the season outside of you. “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” — Proverbs 3:3-6
My friend, be strong and courageous knowing, that like the tree, God makes everything beautiful in His perfect timing!
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