To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” ~ Eccleciates 3:1
Summer yawned into Fall this year, hesitant to depart and lazily lounging over the shortening sunshiney days. It warmly greeted me for coffee on the porch and lingered in the cricket-chorused evenings. Even now, as I peer out my window while writing this, I question its impending departure.
The seasons where I live in Ontario, Canada, are pronounced. I don’t mean we sound them out clearly, but they each have specific characteristics. Fall is a vibrant cacophony of color contrasted with blazing blue skies and crisp, fire-smoke-infused air. But this year, Summer has been reluctant to pass the baton to Fall.
Though on the cusp of Thanksgiving weekend in Canada, the leaves have been slow to change on our quaint street. A few early dissenters dust the sidewalk, but most appear full of chlorophyll and clinging to the branches. I imagine, in a couple more weeks, once the summer relents and the frost arrives, there will be a riot of color and the frenzy of falling leaves. Until then, I’ll take every opportunity to enjoy lunch outside with friends and collect a few bonus morning coffees on the porch, embracing every last sun-kissed day.
Not only do I prefer the warm, endless summer days, but I also prefer “summer-like” conditions in my life. Given the choice, I’d remain in the sunshine, wrapped in warmth and comfort. But those fair-weather conditions aren’t always conducive to resiliency and personal growth, are they? Sometimes, they render us complacent. Just as much as we need seasons of flourishing beauty, we also need letting-go seasons, biting-cold winters, and spring-like restarts.
Whether we like it or not, our lives are full of varying seasons. Even though we’re partial to some more than others, all must be traversed to encourage growth. The problem is, sometimes, we refuse to let go of a season. We, like this summer, overstay. We fail to see that we must move on to the next season with its distinct features. Instead, we cling to comfort and refuse to launch into the newness that awaits.
The reason, if we’re honest, is that we’re often fearful of change. We’re afraid of the unknown on the other side of this season. Sometimes, we worry that the current season will never depart or the next may be even worse. Other times, though the season changes, we’re stuck in the old one, pursuing what is perishing or wallowing in the dark chill of winter.
When I hang on to a season that has passed, it signals a lack of trust (aka. fear), thanklessness, willfulness, or bitterness. I may have failed to embrace the aspects the season was meant to offer; even more, I may have failed to embrace the One who offers His hand to traverse it.
What would it look like to embrace the season we find ourselves in and then release it when it has passed? How changed would we be if we stopped chasing after falling leaves, bemoaning what we lack, or complaining about where we find ourselves? How might we allow this present season to transform us? And what would it look like to bravely step into the next one?
As we approach Thanksgiving, can we find thankfulness for all life’s seasons? Not lagging behind, not rushing ahead, but in step with Jesus. Can we trust that God has a purpose and plan for every season and that our only aim is to remain with him throughout every one?
May God be all you need as you cling to Him during this season of your life.
Reflections:
- Make a list of things you can be thankful for during this season of your life.
- Make a list of the things you are having difficulty letting go of.
- Take some time to release what needs to be released, and thank God for all you have been given.