Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 tell us that
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.”
As the weather changes and the fall temperatures arrive, we all breathe a sigh of relief that summer is finally over (especially those in the desert states). Saying “goodbye” to the old season is a little like finishing off all the items on a checklist. If you’re like me, you have a sense of accomplishment. You may also like to review the list and enjoy a moment or two of celebration.
Many of us will look back on 2020 and wonder “what did I accomplish during this season?” We may recount how many months we were in quarantine. We will remember how we started having our groceries delivered to our door and shopping more online. Some will remember home-schooling your children or grandchildren as an adventure you don’t want to repeat any time soon. Some will reflect on the missed graduations and Senior Proms while others will grieve for those that they lost this year. There is no doubt in my mind that 2020 has had a significant impact on all of us; and it’s not over yet.
I recently heard a pastor say, “I know I’m going to make it through these days, but what are these days going to make me?” That was seriously profound.
“What are these days going to make me?”
That statement alone causes me immediately to look inward and do a systems check on my spirit. “What are these days going to make me?”
In looking at scripture there were several times when the people of God were faced with a difficult season: Joseph and his 10 years in Egypt as a prisoner & slave, Moses and his 40 years learning how to be a shepherd, the Israelites and their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, David and his 13 years hiding out from Saul, the early church in Acts having to flee for their lives to avoid persecution, Paul and his 4 years in prison / house arrest, and John during his 2 year exile on Patmos. If we’re looking for people who understood the challenges (and opportunities) during difficult seasons, we have several to choose from.
When we examine the lives of these men more closely, we can see what God accomplished through each of them during their season of suffering. Joseph was made Pharaoh’s right hand man and saved a country and his family from famine. Moses led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt to the Promised Land. David became King of Israel and was a “man after God’s own heart.” Paul used his time in house arrest to pen letters to churches that he had ministered to. These letters became the books of Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon and are still impacting lives today. John received a revelation while on the Isle of Patmos. The book of Revelation, the final book of the Bible is the account of John’s revelation.
Let’s go back to that earlier question.
I know I’m going to make it through these days, but what are these days going to make me?
When 2020 clicked over on the calendar this year we all had hopes and dreams of what this year would bring. Some of our dreams have yet to be realized and some of them may never happen. At this point we all have a choice. We can live with regret and disappointment or we can move forward through this season resting in the fact that God can bring “beauty from the ashes, Oil of Gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” (Isaiah 6:1)
James, in his letter to the believers of the early church who had scattered during the persecution, challenged them to “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4)
What are these days going to make me?
It is God’s goal that I will be mature, complete, and not lacking anything. He can and will use difficult seasons to accomplish that goal. The question remains; will I be resistant or will I be an active participant in the process. The choice is ours to make. The cost may be high, but the benefits will be great!
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