There are certain truths that explain or bring clarity to other truths, concepts that remove nagging questions and the unpleasantness of life situations once understood. The truth of “Seasons” is one such truth. It takes a maturity of perspective and faith to appreciate the seasons in life.
Our society seems to be made up of groups of people who want every other group to think the way they do. The benefits of diversity are seldom realized because rather than allowing others to express a different thought or opinion, acknowledging why it may be true for them, we are too quick to judge a position, a belief, an opinion… if it doesn’t line up with our own, we want to correct, criticize or condemn.
When I speak of seasons, I am usually discussing spiritual growth–the journey we each are on to round out the faith that is so simple to begin. For many the journey of faith begins in one denomination and ends in another. For some who never move, comfort replaces growth.
It is right and appropriate to attend a Calvary Chapel and get strong in the word, studying verse by verse, and even a time for word by word. Try taking The Lords Prayer one word at a time, and think of the reason, meaning, and exclusivity of meaning of each word and how they build upon each other to create a depth of soul-communication that will never be delved by mere repetition of the familiar phrases.
It is right to attend community church and experience the synergy of a thousand worshipers focused on God together and the presence of angels and the sweeping through of the Spirit that only occurs when we join one another en masse. To hone our social skills, volunteer, and to get involved in helping others.
It is right to attend a Pentecostal church where the gifts of the Spirit are practiced and knowledge of the workings of the Spirit are taught, and then to learn about discernment and having to judge rightly between the counterfeits and those who are truly spirit-led.
It is right to step away and be the church and walk into your calling–just to find it’s hard, and no one is following. But you are still called to lead… no,… to Love. Then to walk into the realization that nothing done without Love as the motive has any lasting value.
Then we can walk into a Catholic cathedral and find God, and find people trying in their own season to connect with Him, and appreciate every different journey and validate each season of each person’s growth. To walk down the street and love on people who choose to ignore God completely, share a kind word, let them express the truth of their season, and listen patiently, speak thoughtfully, teach respectfully and give generously.
Love gives others the freedom to be wrong. Speaking truth in love is difficult sometimes, and not always appropriate. Love is patient and kind. You know the verse.
Humility involves not needing to be right. Not needing to be heard, not even needing to speak. All the while trusting Phil 1:6 that He who began a good work–in the people you would have previously judged–is faithful to carry it on to completion, until the day of Jesus Christ.
What is the “day of Jesus Christ” for each one of us? In my opinion, it is the season we enter into where we act, speak and think more and more like Jesus, so much so that the world ceases to see us, and sees Him shining through our actions, words, and deeds.
So what’s the great revelation about seasons? It makes everything alright, recognizing that God has this. Allows us to take our time, reflect, improve… free of judgement, in a positive expectation that the wind is going to change.