“To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven…(Ecclesiastes 3:1)
The first six months of the year have passed, and we are grateful for life, the opportunities and accomplishments we have experienced thus far. However, as we embark on the second half of the year, we may find ourselves pondering what the future holds. Life is a series of seasons that we must navigate, from childhood to old age and all the changes in between. We transition through various stages like adolescence, youthfulness, single season, marriage, having children, new opportunities in our careers or personal lives, new responsibilities, locations, relationships etc. It is natural for thoughts of what lies ahead to occupy our minds as we embrace the start of a new season.
As we commence this second half of the year, our sharing on this platform will focus on Transitioning Seasons. Transitional seasons simply mean the periods of change in the distinct phases of our lives. The write-ups on transitioning seasons will explore how we can navigate through such seasons of change in life, while anchoring our faith in God, staying true to our purpose and utilizing the challenges that come with change as opportunities for growth and transformation.
Transitional seasons are often filled with fear of the unknown and uncertainty which sometimes prevent us from seizing new opportunities or stepping through doors that God has opened for us. For example, there are times when we may have been in a previous season where God wanted us to wait, preparing us with the right mindset and attitude to take on a particular opportunity. Perhaps in that previous season, we sought an opportunity and faced rejection. Despite the discouragement of waiting and receiving rejections, God helped us to maintain trust, grow in faith, and rely completely on Him. Now, as a new season dawns, God is opening doors along the same path where we once faced rejection. It is natural to feel fear or hesitation due to past rejections, meanwhile this is a new season to move forward from where we were and embrace the new opportunities that await us. Other times, the transitioning seasons can be quite overwhelming, as they come with new adjustments and even challenges. If we are not mindful, these changes can weigh down on various aspects of our lives, including our relationship with God.
However, life is full of seasons that we all must go through. Just like the changing seasons of the year – spring, summer, fall, and winter, or the transition between dry (with its hot temperatures) and rainy seasons (with its cold weather), our lives are marked by transitioning to unique seasons. The way we navigate the seasonal changes, is by acknowledging these seasons, preparing ourselves accordingly and making the most of opportunities that each season presents. For example, in my local community, during the rainy season, we invest in warm clothing to protect ourselves from the cold. When farmers sense the end of the dry season approaching, they begin preparing the soil for planting crops. As soon as the rains arrive, they sow the seeds and tend to the growing crops by weeding the fields. When the crops are ready for harvest, they gather them. And when the dry season returns, they take advantage of the sunlight to dry some of the crops for preservation.
Just as we adjust to the changing climatic seasons of the year, we must also adapt to the changing seasons of our lives. Recognizing these transitions and making necessary preparations and adjustments allows us to successfully navigate through each phase and make the most of what each season has to offer. It is natural to feel uncertainty and worry during times of transition and change, as we are unsure of what the future holds. However, it is important to remember that while we may not know what the future holds, we know who holds the future – Our God, the creator of the universe, including times and seasons. We trust in God, who holds the future and guides us through every season of life. One of the most effective ways to do this is by meditating on His word and relying on the guidance of the Holy Spirit for daily direction as we navigate the various seasons of life.
For I (God) know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:11-13)
Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know. (Jeremiah 33:3)
Trusting in God’s plan and seeking His wisdom will help us embrace new seasons with confidence and peace. Join us this season as we explore how to navigate different transitional seasons in the light of God’s word! Let’s embark on this journey together and discover the power of faith in times of change.
Remain Blessed!