In life each of us experience repeated cycles mirrored in the seasonal patterns of nature. Characteristics of the four seasons manifest at large in the primary stages of life: infancy, childhood, adolescence, young adulthood, adulthood and old age.
Giphy/www.bbc.com
While these intervals are notably evident in all human life cycles, the recurring rhythms of spring, summer, fall and winter resonate more uniquely with each stage of our growing lives.
On February 2nd, I spoke very briefly on Periscope about discerning our individual seasons to maximize on opportunities presented in them. I spoke based on knowledge I’d gathered from Richard Blackaby‘s book The Seasons of God. In this book, he reveals how recognizing these shifting patterns can really empower you. In each season, there are four major areas of impact to note: our identity, our relationships, our roles and our faith. Additionally, Blackaby highlights using this insight in combination with God’s vantage point and the application of His principles to make the most out of every stage!
In this same broadcast, I talked about an upcoming season change for myself which was made known to me through a 5-minute dream! 😃😃😃 Don’t despise any revelation God gives you, even if it’s one word…anything the Father gives is able to produce life. Only when we treat it with contempt does it fall to the ground and die.
QUICK DREAM
I awakened and saw it was summer outside. It was soooooo warm, I could actually feel the sun rays on my skin and it felt great! It was bright and colorful! I could even smell summer in the air…it was beautiful…I was smiling and so happy!
Giphy/Illogicalityy.tumblr.com
Then I woke up for real…😩😩😩
It wasn’t summer. There was no light peering in through the blinds of my bedroom window and there was no fragrance of flowers in the air. It was a dark, rainy winter day.
Giphy/Gif-Database.tumblr.com
This was quite the disappointment, but in this 5-minute dream, God showed me something amazing.
THE MESSAGE
I was going to immediately shift into a summer season, there would be much work, but the assignment would be overshadowed by the joy and excitement of it all!
This was an exciting piece of revelation! I should have inquired on which area of my life I’d experience this sudden shift into such laborious work. Why? Because we all can undergo multiple seasons in multiple areas of our lives at any given moment. For example, you can simultaneously experience summer at work, spring in a new relationship and winter at school (graduation).
Fast forward to Two Weeks Ago
It became very clear the summer season from my dream pertained to my work life. One of my leaders asked how I felt about being trained on something. I accepted the challenge thinking nothing of it. Immediately following my yes I was quickly informed that myself and one other colleague was selected to assist with another special project. Well after learning two new procedures in 5 working days I soon realized what time it was! 😁😁😁 I could have easily become overwhelmed, but God reminded me of the dream I had and of this book.
Below are some insights directly from the book. I pray these nuggets of wisdom help you identify where you are! I implore you to purchase the book because there’s more depth beyond what I’ve included that can help you navigate through The Seasons of God in your life!
SPRING
“Spring is about potential, promise, and possibilities. It’s when seeds are planted that later emerge full grown and produce a harvest. It’s a time of beginnings. Spring can be invigorating. Whether we’re entering a different stage of schooling, launching a new career, or becoming a first-time parent or grandparent, there are certain identifiable moments that usher us into a new stage of life. We won’t always be first-year students or entry level employees or parent or infants, but when we enter those stages of life, spring offers us brand-new opportunities and possibilities. Spring is about beginnings.”
(Blackaby, 2012, p25-26)
SUMMER
“Summer is a time of growth and maturation. The seeds we planted during spring mature into full-sized plants in the warmth of summer. Summer is when children grow and mature. It’s when apprentices develop into skilled craftsmen. For parents it’s the “minivan” stage of life when we must shuttle our children between lessons, games, school events, and medical appointments. Summer is the season of work, when we invest the time and effort required to become good at what we do.”
(Blackaby, 2012, p26)
AUTUMN
“Autumn is the season of harvest. After seeds have been sown, plants have matured, and fruit ripened, autumn produces the reward of our labors. It’s when we achieve management positions at work or when we’re enlisted to lead and lend advice to various groups in our church and community. It’s when we achieve seniority, when we’re elected captain of the team or CEO of the company, when we can host a large dinner party with ease, or when our children reach adulthood and become more independent. It’s the season when we reach the apex of the particular stage of life. We may not all achieve management positions, but we’ll eventually reach the peak of our skills and knowledge in our particular domain. It’s when all our music lessons, sports practices, cooking experiments, hours of study, sacrifices made by parents, lessons learned from our failures and successes, and extra effort come to fruition–and we reach the point where we’re the leaders and experts in our field. We may not be the best in our field, but we’re now our best.”
(Blackaby, 2012, p25)
WINTER
“Winter is a season of winding down–withdrawal, retreat, and closure. Activities, responsibilities, and relationships draw to a close in winter. This is a time of endings. It’s also a period of rest, restoration, and reflection. It can be a time of solitude. Before you enter your next spring, you must first navigate winter. However, once winter passes, another spring is at the doorstep! You may be enduring a particularly harsh winter season right now. Perhaps some important responsibilities or relationships have come to an end. You may be wondering what’s next. Have no fear! In God’s divine plan, even when you’re experiencing the bitterest winter of your life, there’s another spring on the horizon. “
(Blackaby, 202, p26-27)
