The Thing About Seasons and Life

Inside: growing in your season

Do you ever get the feeling like you should do something, but you really don’t know the reason for doing it?

I can’t be the only one, right?

Well, I had a feeling the other day that I should read the very first Psalm. I admit, dear reader, it’s been a while since I’ve spent much time in the Psalms, let alone Psalm 1. But, after reading it, I thought, “Whoooooa, that was unexpected.“

So, Psalm 1 is pretty short, right? Even though it’s short, it packs a pretty powerful punch. Psalm 1 is basically about being rooted in the Lord and being unwavering in your faith.

And, I dunno about you, but in 2020, I think we could all stand to be a little more rooted in the Word and our faith. Heaven knows 2020 has been… well, the wonkiest.

Psalm 1: What It Says

But, it wasn’t the idea of being like a sturdy tree planted by the waters that I needed to remember or the reminder that sinners won’t be in the congregation of the righteous (yep, that’s in there, too. See Psalm 1:5. And, side note: knowing how 2020 is going, now would be a great time to fix things up with the Lord, if you haven’t already. I’m just saying.).

Instead, it was part of Psalm 1:3 that jumped off the page and smacked me right in the middle of the forehead.

Let’s take a look at it, okay?

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season, his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Psalm 1:3

I’ll be quite honest here. Is that okay, friend? In the past, I’ve really wondered and sort of questioned the Lord on why it seems some things in my life aren’t farther along than what I think they should be. I’ve questioned why one season of life has lasted and lasted and why other seasons came and went with the blink of an eye.

Questioning Your Season

And, if you’re a real human being with a real, beating heart, I bet you’ve probably done the same thing (except, I’m not a betting woman, so…)

Maybe you’re feeling lead to work in a certain type of ministry. You’re praying about it, but the door hasn’t opened yet and you’re questioning why it’s taking so long.

Or maybe you’re already working in that specific kind of ministry, but you’re not seeing the fruits of your efforts. You’re doing all the right things by planting the seeds, praying, and working. But… still no fruit that you can see yet. So, you’re questioning if you’re even meant to do that kind of work for the Lord since it seems nothing is happening.

Maybe you’re in a season of singleness and you desire a spouse and a family. You know that the scriptures say, “delight thyself also in the Lord and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart” (Psalm 37:4). But, He just hasn’t given you a spouse yet. You are praying about it, but you’re tired and frustrated and you just want to know why. (Another side note, if you’re really thinking about marriage, read this.)

Or, maybe, you’re just so busy with everything going on (ministry, work, family, you know, just liiiife) that you’re yearning for a rest and a break. But, from where you’re standing, that break is eons and eons away from arriving. Too much to do, too little time and you’re t.i.r.e.d.

How Garden Season is like Life

Have you ever planted a garden? This isn’t too much off topic, I promise.

If you have, you know that before garden season actually gets here, there’s a ton of prep work that needs to be done in the off-seasons.

First, you’ve got to spend hours looking over a good seed catalog picking out exotic vegetables you’re never going to plant. Then, when you’re done with that, you have to get in the car, drive to Lowe’s, and buy the seeds you actually need.

When the seasons change and it’s finally warm enough, the ground is tilled and prepared before the seeds are planted (and, if you’re like the Wilson family, prayed over). Then, it takes a lot of watering, weeding, and waiting.

Andddd, more watering, weeding and waiting.

A good season might be over and you might find yourself in a hard season. But, take heart, my friend, good things will come around again. #learningtobethelight Click To Tweet

Finally, you see your happy little vegetable plants pop up (along with their weedy, little friends).

With enough time, patience, and effort, you eventually get to enjoy the fruits of your labors.

Basically, gardening takes time. Not everything happens at once.

From where I’m from in good, ol’ Virginia, it wouldn’t make sense to expect a fresh cucumber straight-from-the-garden in March. Just like it wouldn’t make much sense to plant a tomato plant in late October. Everything has it’s place and it’s season.

The Thing about Seasons

So, lemme say it again so it sticks: not. everything. happens. at once.

You see, Psalm 1:3 specifically says, “bringeth forth fruit in his season.”

Speaking about the seasons of life, there is a ton of prep work that needs to go in before there’s actually “fruit” to be had.

Not everything happens at once. And, guess what, friend? We’re not all in the same season. Each of us has something different going on. What might make sense in the season of life you’re in might not make much sense for someone else. And that is absolutely a-okay.

Even still, we have to pray.

We have to let the Lord prepare our hearts.

Sometimes, we have to work. Other times, we have to wait. Often times, we have to get rid of the weeds taking root and we have to baby the good things we’ve planted.

And, other times, we have to remove ourselves completely and just let the Lord work.

I can’t speak to your specific season in life that you’re living right now, but if you’re not seeing any fruit yet, stop worrying. There will be fruit in the appropriate season, I promise.

Keep doing all the right things by praying, knocking, working, and waiting. Eventually, things will prosper just like the last part of Psalm 1:3 says.

And, you know what else?

Seasons are cyclic. A good season might be over and you might find yourself in a hard season. But, take heart, my friend, good things will come around again. They always do. 🙂

Shine bright!

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