The seasons of our lives

“When we view our lives as a string of random days connected only by the calendar, it’s easy to overlook the active movement of God.”- Bill Hybels

In Chapter 9 (“From Stuck to Moving On: Welcoming New Seasons in Your Life”) of Simplify, Bill Hybels notes the song “Turn, Turn, Turn” by The Byrds became the number one song in America on December 4, 1965.  Pete Seeger based the words of his song on the writings of King Solomon in Ecclesiastes 3.  Today these words draw Pastor Hybels’ attention for a much more substantive reason- the words call for change.

The author comments on the necessity of viewing our lives to see the active movement of God:

“Our ability to identify the seasons of our lives increases our ability to cooperate with God, recognizing His guiding hand, follow His lead, and accept the end of one season as the beginning of the next.”

The seasons we enter into have different lengths- weeks, months, or even years.  All these seasons have a beginning and an end.  We spend time in one season and then move on to the next one.

Adverse circumstances, such as a ministry downsizing or vocation loss, define some of our seasons.  When adverse seasons come in rapid succession, the challenge is extraordinary.  Pastor Hybels exhorts us that it is vital to remember that adverse seasons don’t define our whole life:

“Good or bad, easy or difficult, every season on this earth is temporary.”

Today’s question:  What Bible verses help you persevere through your temporary seasons of adversity?  Please share.

Tomorrow’s blog: “Mourning and dancing”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiprqeaydik

The seasons of our lives