Seasons
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 (ESV)
In the proper season, crops can be harvested and fruits picked. If we try to bring in the harvest or pick fruit when it is not the right season, we will come up empty or have fruit that is too immature or too ripe.
We must plow, plant and harvest in the proper seasons that God has ordained.
We must also move in the proper seasons of our lives!
For example, a college student is in the season of learning. Normally, he or she should not be buying a house, traveling the world or binge watching TV. He must focus on learning and work hard at it. A college student should not be overly discouraged if he is not making a huge salary at that time or volunteering at the local homeless shelter. That will come in another season.
Perhaps a person has been obligated by circumstance to be the caregiver for a sick relative. This can be a very demanding task. The caregiver should not be dismayed or feel guilty if he or she cannot partake in many other activities or responsibilities. It is the season of caregiving.
If we can learn to discern the seasons of our lives, we can also learn to focus on what is required in that season!
Queen Esther was in a position to ask the king for favor for her people. Her Uncle Mordecai helped her to see the importance of her opportunity:
For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. AND WHO KNOWS WHETHER YOU HAVE NOT COME TO THE KINGDOM FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS?”
Esther 4:14 (ESV, capitalization added)
Esther was given the time, place, season and opportunity to act Her intervention resulted in saving many of her people - the Jews!
There are only twenty four hours in a day. We are limited by time, energy and resources.
Let us ask God to give us wisdom regarding what time, place, season and opportunity he has given us. Then we can focus on that and not be overly concerned about the rest!
