The Seasons of Faith

It is well known that we live in a world that is constantly changing. A world that does not stay stagnant, a world where things evolve. We notice that the way the world looked outside our window in April is not the way it will look in September. In some parts of the world June is hot and in others it is cold. Again, depending on where we live, the flowers and trees will start to blossom in September and in other parts of the world they start to die. And such is life, it is ever constant.

“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1

In Autunm and Winter, we must understand that certain things must die so that they can be reborn in the Spring and the Summer. No one would like to live in a perpetual winter or summer and so we are thankful that God gave us the seasons that mark time. And so, just like the earthly seasons we too have our spiritual seasons. In as much as we would like to be in a constant ‘spiritual’ spring or summer the cold winds will inevitably blow. There will be times when you question whether this walk of faith is really necessary.

We can all concur that at the time of our conversion we were on fire for the Lord. We promised ourselves that we would attend all the meetings, volunteer when needed and the part of all the activities. We were ready to feed everyone, clothe everyone; we were ready to cross oceans for God. we did some of these things, and then something happened right? It’s like the fire started fizzling out. We started volunteering less and less, we stopped attending the prayer meetings and the seminars.

The same way we pull out our coats and jackets when we feel the season changing from summer to winter should be the same way we pull out our bibles and draw nearer to the One who is able to embrace us and keep the chill out.

Here are some seasons we will experience in our Christian Walk.

The Dry Season

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7

We are told to let God know about all our hopes, troubles and fears. That when we tell Him, He will hear us from heaven and answer. It seems simple enough, but it can be so discouraging when we feel as though God is not listening. It sometimes feels like He isn’t answering as fast as we would like. God who is all knowing knows that sometimes we are not ready for the things we are asking for; we don’t understand their implications in our lives. But because we serve a Go who sees tomorrow from today, he knows why He says ‘no’ or ‘not yet’. We should understand that God has plans to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give us a hope and a future. Remember that God’s silence does not mean His indifference, He will come through. Use this season to figure out what will be required of you when God answers.

“For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him that knocks it will be opened.” Matthew 7:8

The Waiting Season

“Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him…” Psalm 37:7

Wating is so hard because we all want what we want now. Some people are waiting for a job, a promotion, a child or a husband or wife. We can become so frustrated because we aren’t getting what we want, as fast as we want it. We may even begin to doubt God’s power to do above and beyond. During this season God wants us to wait in Him. He wants us to keep focused on the hope of glory. If we stop constantly trying to coax Him into working faster, we will come to realise that He is preparing better things than what we asked. May we want Him more than the things He can give us.

“Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation. Give heed to the voice of my cry, My King and my God.” Psalm 5:1-2

The Tests and Trials Season

“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:3-5

As Christians we all know that we will have to face difficult times, our faith will be put to the test. In this season we should cultivate an attitude of dependence on God. He will never allow us to enter a situation that we cannot escape. Our trials will look different but the way we get out of them should be the same – with God.

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13

The seasons change and you change but the Lord abides evermore the same, and the streams of His Love are as deep, as broad and as full as ever.” – Charles Spurgeon