Recognizing the Season

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There are different seasons in our lives just as there are different seasons in nature. However, even in the seasonal changes of nature there is still a natural order to them. When we go through different seasonal changes in our lives there is an order to them as well. The Constance of God throughout all of the seasons of our lives remains the same. God will never leave us nor forsake us. We may feel different during these seasonal changes but the truth remains the same. We cannot rely on feelings but rather the truth of God’s Word.
2 Kings 5:24-27 (MSG)
24 When they got to the fort on the hill, Gehazi took the gifts from the servants, stored them inside, then sent the servants back.
25 He returned and stood before his master. Elisha said, “So what have you been up to, Gehazi?”
“Nothing much,” he said.
26-27 Elisha said, “Didn’t you know I was with you in spirit when that man stepped down from his chariot to greet you? Tell me, is this a time to look after yourself, lining your pockets with gifts? Naaman’s skin disease will now infect you and your family, with no relief in sight.”
Gehazi walked away, his skin flaky and white like snow.

Elisha had just performed a great miracle for a foreign general but refused to take any gifts. His servant, on the other hand, lusted after these things and went after them. He took the gifts and came back and stood before Elisha. Elisha questioned him, then asked him, “Is it time to look after yourself, lining your pocket with gifts?” Then the disease that the General had been healed of came upon the servant of Elisha.

There is a time and a season for all things. Elisha was telling his servant that this was not a season however, for looking after himself. Recognizing the season we are in is important. We would not want to pack a bag for a trip to an Alaskan winter with swimsuits and shorts. God has a plan for our lives and there is a limited amount of time to accomplish that plan.

 

John 4:36-38 (MSG) 

“The Harvester isn’t waiting. He’s taking his pay, gathering in this grain that’s ripe for eternal life. Now the Sower is arm in arm with the Harvester, triumphant. That’s the truth of the saying, ‘This one sows, that one harvests.’ I sent you to harvest a field you never worked. Without lifting a finger, you have walked in on a field worked long and hard by others.”

Jesus is stating in the verses above that we are in the season of harvest and we will receive wages. The harvest He is speaking of is the harvest of souls for the Kingdom of God. We do this by telling people the Good News that Jesus died for their sins and that they can be free.

This is not the time for us to lust after other things like Elisha’s servant Gehazi. As we stay focused on the harvest season we are in we are less likely to chase after gifts that will never last and that will only leave us feeling empty inside or worse.

Thankfully God is a master updater of plans, when we make mistakes, and we will, He updates our lives with a new plan. That plan always includes sharing the message of love, hope and freedom with those around us.

Let’s keep our eyes on Jesus, allow Him to work through us, pay attention to the season we are in and pack accordingly. As we stay focused on Jesus we will see great things happen in our lives and also watch the world around us enter into a beautiful seasonal change!