A PIECE OF MY HEART...four seasons of life

In everything, there is a time and a season. Not only in the climate where you live but also in our lives. I think that we all have a favorite time of year. Springtime is one of my favorite seasons where I live. The weather is not cold and it is not hot. It is JUST right, if you ask me.

But the season of spring is usually too short lived. Following a cool spring, there always comes a hot and humid summer, especially here in the south. But with every season, there is a purpose. Not only with the climate but also the season we find ourselves to be at in life.

ISAIAH 43:19 "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."

In the springtime, we see new beginnings, new growth. The grass and the flowers begin to bloom. There is such a freshness in the springtime. Some of us find ourselves to be in the spring season of life. This is a great place to start our walk with God, but it is not a place to remain. If we all stayed in the spring, we would never see the seeds of our faith grow. But yet without the spring, the seeds could not be planted, the seeds of hope, forgiveness and salvation. We all need the season of springtime in our spirit, but we can never stay here. We must grow. We must mature. We must move on.

The season of spring is just the beginning.

When we pass thru spring, we find ourselves in the heat of the summer. Summer is important because the roots that were planted in the springtime now can continue to be nourished and strengthened. Here in the south, the summer heat is almost unbearable. But spiritually speaking, it is while we are in the heat of summer, that our roots are strengthened. Roots grow when heat is applied. Without the heat, our roots would not thirst. It is in the midst of the heat, or the trials and troubles, that we will depend on the quenching of the Holy Spirit. It will strengthen us and grow us.

The season of summer is a time for growth.

Following summertime, comes fall. I love fall time also because of the radiant colors of the leaves. As the leaves fall to the ground, it reminds me of how in the seasons of life, some things are bound to change. If you are in the season of fall in your spiritual walk, then you might find yourself in the "golden years". Not "golden" as "old" but "golden" like "maturity". Once a seed is planted in the spring, and nurtured in the summer, it is now time for the seed to mature. The heat of life now brings us to a point of being mature in our walk with God. We know what it is like to come thru difficult times and still trust God and remain faithful.

The season of fall is a time to ripen.

Then there is the season of winter. Winter is cold, very cold, depending on where you live. I can't think of too many things that can survive the winter. Right before the frost comes, we must go out and cover up anything that may be left in the garden. Otherwise it will not survive. The cold and frost is too much and we must be prepared for the season of winter. Likewise, in the season of winter in our spirit, we must be prepared. The season of winter represents death. We cannot come upon the season of winter without being prepared.

The entire process of the seasons have now brought us to this season in life. While in this season, you can look back and see exactly how productive you have been.

Have you reaped what you have sown?

If you have sown your actions and thoughts into the things of God, then the season of winter is one to not fear. For you will be prepared fully for what this season of life will bring you. Death is not the end. Not if you are a Christian. In fact, if you are a follower of Christ, death is just the beginning. The beginning of your eternal home.

But before you can conquer this final season of life, you must first pass thru the other 3 seasons. What season of life do you find yourself to be in? Wherever you find yourself....remember there is purpose for all of the seasons.