God’s Harvest

Winter, spring, summer, fall/autumn - a time for everything. As seasons change, it is important to be mindful of finding beauty, grace and gratitude in all circumstances. No matter where in life you are, you will experience the ebbs and flows of these cyclic transitions. Nonetheless, each bears a purpose. There is no better passage in scripture than Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, ‘A Time for Everything’, to describe the rhythm of our lives - the good, bad, and in-between seasons. 

As hard as it is to understand at times, God reminds us that He turns all things to good (Romans 8:28) and, “makes everything beautiful in its own time.” (Ecclesiastics 3:11). Life’s seasons are ways for God to capture our hearts and faith and to let us know we are never alone.  He wants us to know that He is reaping on our behalf. The Lord tells us, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” (Isaiah 43:19.) It is up to us to trust and to draw close to Him as we navigate the seasons of our lives. No matter how seasons manifest, the one thing we know when we travel through rough terrain is that “It too shall pass." (2 Corinthians 4: 17-18.) However, how we each endure and how long we endure the seasons is determined by our choices, our focus, and our faith.

I remember the fall/autumn/wintertime of 2021, it was, what seemed, one of the most trying seasons in our lives, as it was for so many around the world. In addition to dealing with a global pandemic (COVID), it was a season of loss and grief. My family and I lost loved ones, we witnessed the health of other loved ones deteriorate, and some relationships suddenly ended. I can go on, but you get it. We could not understand at the time how so much loss and pain could simultaneously occur; we were clouded with grief, anger, and confusion of all kinds. I carried this pain with me for a bit. In addition to the grief, I felt betrayed by people I was loyal to. It seemed like one of the longest seasons of my life. I questioned why God would allow this to happen and when it would end. It was not until the day I stopped wrestling with God that I came out of my self-inflicted fog. It was on that faithful day that God allowed me to see that what was happening was His giving and not His taking. In that moment, the dry clouds cleared, blown away by His unfailing love; I was finally able to see that the relationships that ended were without fruit, so He uprooted them for the purpose of pulling my home out of the sand and rebuilding it on a rock. (Matthew 7:24-27). I could finally hear him saying, “He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed." Proverbs 13:20. In hindsight, I could see God’s hand all over this season of our lives, clearing our path to serve Him. However, it was only in our surrender to His will that we were able to endure and enter into the next season immeasurably stronger than we could have ever asked or imagined. That is the God we serve, a God of immeasurably more (Ephesians 3:20).

Life is marked by changes in seasons that are not always understood or measured by the months on the calendar. “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! (Romans 11:33).

Welcome back to my blog. I pray to our Lord of all seasons and thank Him for being with us through it all. I pray He helps you lean into your faith in all seasons. Let us praise and thank God for always turning all things for our good. Even when we cannot see it, He is working in our favor, helping us proclaim victory. Amen!

Much like the changing seasons in our own lives, change comes slowly and before we know it, we realize that things are different. Let us have a look at the meteorological seasons and how they mirror our own life.

FALL/AUTUMN – A TIME FOR CHANGE

The arrival of fall/autumn brings about more than just pumpkin spice, everything nice, apple pies and cozy sweaters. The transition from summer to fall/autumn can have a significant impact on nature and humans alike. As the leaves begin to change color and the air turns crisp - animals prepare by migrating, storing food, and creating cozy hibernation spaces.

In these fall/autumn seasons of life, it becomes extremely easy to get overly anxious and scared. Our fears triggered by the change in the ebbs of summer activity a season of constant activity. Wondering what the change of season will bring (or take). In life this can represent a sudden change in our relationships and other matters. For example, yesterday we were in love, today we are fighting or breaking up. Our finances and work have slowed down; we are wondering about potential layoffs. Our health takes a turn, an abnormality is detected and the life we anticipated is suddenly no more. Our child is not playing outside anymore because illness has taken them. God calls us to trust in Him. God wants us to know that He will never leave nor forsake us.” So we can confidently say, ’The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:5b-6. God is always with you; you will not fall. “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

WINTER – A TIME FOR REST

Winter completes the cycle of dormancy and deep sleep. During dormancy, plants hold their energy in reserves - in preparation for spring. Winter marks the end of the year in most countries and the end of life for much in nature. Frigid winter days and grey skies take their toll. Unable to withstand the harshness of the season, some plants and animals die. Its rigor gives rise to depression and other mental healthcare concerns.

The winter season could be symbolic of the end of a relationship, divorce, life/grief. Some describe fall/autumn and winter seasons as depressing and sad. I used to as well for many years. Today, I describe it as a beautiful time of year to continue to spread much needed kindness, love, and support. I’ve learned to appreciate the foliage, the break from the heat, an opportunity to rest from the summer activities, a chance to recharge for the holidays, I give thanks and praise in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18.) During trying times God’s infinite love will guide us, we can, “Cast all our anxiety on Him because He cares for us.” (1 Peter 5:7). I invite you to view this season as what God is providing us with and not what it is taking from us. Let us, “Trust in the Lord with all our heart, and not lean on our own understanding. In all our ways we must acknowledge him, and he will make straight our paths." “The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest.” (Psalm 85:12). You are not alone. Romans 8:39 reminds and reassures us that nothing can separate us from God’s love. When the love of others falls short, God’s love remains.

SPRING – A TIME FOR REBIRTH

Spring has sprung, the landscape comes to life and blooms after a dormant season. Spring is a season of moving from the dead cold of winter to the blossoming of spring. It’s a season of renewal and fresh perspectives. A time to move from the dormancy of winter to living in what you’ve learned and the renewal of your mind and spirit. “Do not be conformed to the patterns of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2). It’s a time where you can see and feel growth happening all around you. A time to celebrate life, enjoy the changes. It is a time of high energy with all the growing. When spring comes into your life, enjoy every minute, let the cold of the brutal winter months exit with the prior season and jump into your spring. Savor the moments and remember that spring always comes, God never fails. “A land which the Lord thy God careth for: the eyes of the Lord thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year.” (Deuteronomy 11:12)

Many times, we get so stuck on the seasons past that we fail to embrace our spring seasons. It is important to stop and receive our blessings and never regret. We should not lament yesterday’s losses with today’s wisdom. We must give ourselves grace and be grateful for another spring, appreciate the blessings of God’s continual care and unfailing attention over our lives.

SUMMER – A TIME TO REAP

Summer is that time of year we shift to autopilot. It is a time we tend to sit back, enjoy, and reap the rewards of our sowing. Summer is a time we celebrate our hard work and witness all things move as expected. But remember, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (Galatians 6:7). A time to enjoy that tall glass of sweet tea on the rocking chair, admire the beautiful flowers on the front porch, listen to the birds’ chirp, the water splash, the laughter vibrating and joy illuminating our spirit. Do you ever enter these seasons where you relish in your achievements? Similar to when you finally overcome that fallout with a friend. Or mend your fragile relationship? When you finally sort out your financials and everything just seems to fall into place? When it feels like you can finally breathe? We all have our summers.

Do you see these seasons play out in your life? What things have you learned about God from experiencing these seasons? Can you look back and see that things have a way of working out? That God always blesses his church [believers]? The truth is that “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.” (Genesis 8:22). We do not get to pick or determine when one season begins and another ends. God created seasons (Genesis 1:14) and only He controls them (Daniel 2:21). We have seasons of weariness, but He has blessed us and renews our strength. (Isaiah 40:31) We have seasons of perplexity, but He gives us wisdom, ‘…from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.” (Proverbs 2:6). We have seasons that seem unproductive, we wonder about our value, but the Lord is working on our behalf and has a plan for us (Jeremiah 29:11).

Perhaps you feel stuck in this season of life. Stop trying to change the season and seek to know God’s purpose for you so you may come to maximize your potential. Each season will bring its own unique set of challenges and blessings. You cannot control the seasons that come into your life, but you can control how you respond. Let’s figure out how to navigate through seasons of your life. Click Here to view my services and HERE to book a free introductory call. In the interim, remember to always count your blessings.” When upon life's billows you are tempest-tossed, when you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, count your many blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.”