Seasons

https://odb.org/MY/2023/06/05/seasons

Ecclesiastes 3 is the famous passage in the bible that speaks of seasons. There is a time for everything under the heavens, and the LORD makes all things beautiful in its time.

We go back to Ecclesiastes 3 when we face major disappointments, trusting that our time has not yet come. Believing our time will arrive one day. I recall the struggle I used to face making payments when younger and the need to restrain from buying nice or fancy things. In fact, in the early days of our work life, we didn’t go for holidays as our focus then was to pay off our house. We had our first overseas holiday trip seven years after we started working, and when the children came, we only travelled again when my eldest was 6. But now, when we are near retirement, we finally reaped the benefits of paying off our houses early. There is indeed a time for everything, and sometimes those times come because of what we did when we were younger. Sacrifices made when young will reap benefits when older. That’s ancient wisdom, and we can see that reality played out in our lives as we grow older.

It’s the same with putting God first in our lives and serving Him. If we faithfully serve Him and follow His percepts, we will gain much spiritually, and as we age, we will see the benefits of having put God first all those years. We have grown to know God, and now we experience His providence and protection, goodness, and blessings, especially His grace. Like the song says – You see me through all the seasons. You lead me in Your righteousness. You are forever in my life.

Seasons come and go. It’s a cycle of life. Natural seasons like the falling leaves of autumn before the cold and dark winter, before the melting snow ushers in spring with the blooming flowers before the full blast of summer comes. Our life will also have its seasons as appointed by the Lord. As we follow His footsteps and do His will, He will be with us throughout all the seasons of our lives. The joy and laughter to the disappointments and tears. Through the busy times and the quiet times.

The message today, I believe, is to always remember that Christ will make all things beautiful in its time, and there is a season for everything. Most importantly, in all seasons, remember the LORD our God – for He is just and gracious. He loves us. To God be the glory, all honour and worship for He is our God!