A Change of Season
Heaven is eternal; life, and all within its boundaries, is temporal.
“They could not dwell together.”
Genesis 13:6 NKJV
With friends, we took a cruise up the New England and Canadian coasts at the beginning of autumn. The change of season was spectacular. The colors of the fall foliage were brilliant; the weather was sunny, the air fresh and crisp. It was a trip not to be forgotten, a time to be enjoyed.
By the temporal nature of life, seasons change. People try to make things permanent that are temporary. Heaven is eternal; life, and all within its boundaries, is temporal. The Bible explains, “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under Heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1 NKJV. A wise person understands how best to live in the season of life they are in and learns how to recognize when a season is changing. “He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” Psalm 1:3 NIV.
The Old Testament tells a story about Abraham and his nephew, Lot. A season was changing. Read Genesis 13:1-9. They each had prospered until their success posed a problem. They had journeyed together but now their current situation had become complicated. “Now the land was not able to support them that they might dwell together, for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together.” Genesis 13:6 NKJV. It was the fault of neither.
Situations had changed. A season had been fulfilled; a new direction was necessary for the benefit of both. Due to changing circumstances, what had worked harmoniously till now would not work as well going forward. A circumstance neither one had caused or chosen now required a personal decision from both. They would have to go separate ways.
Conflict made Abraham aware that changes needed to be made. You might not recognize when you need to accept a change, until and unless the status quo becomes uncomfortable or inconvenient. “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” See Galatians 6:8-10 NKJV. Don’t fight such a change; embrace it.
Some people will walk alongside you for a long while, maybe a lifetime, while others may be only for a season. Hear me carefully; people are not disposable at your whim, but there may be times in the ongoing purposes of God that by choice or circumstance you may be called to walk a new path without the same company. Gratitude appreciates those who have shared your journey; wisdom understands when the journey leads in different directions. Don’t look for fault when a season changes; look for new blessing. Abraham did not choose to leave Lot; he chose to follow God.
Generously, Abraham allowed Lot to choose first where his family with herds and flocks would fare best. Read Genesis 13:10-18. Then, God appeared to Abraham, “Look from the place where you are . . the land you see I give to you . .”vs. 14-18. Maybe your new season of direction and expansion begins “from the place where you are.” Be sure of this. God ordains the seasons, and if you will walk uprightly and unselfishly before God, He will provide His further and greater blessings. See Leviticus 26:3-5 NIV.
My prayer for you today is that you enjoy the seasons of life and their changes.