Balancing Seasons

Monday December 29, 2014

As we pause and reflect on another 12 months gone by, we´re often quick to aim for greater balance in all areas during the new year. Author and pastor Andy Stanley suggest that we aim to find a rhythm in the changing seasons of life. Instead of trying to carve out equal amounts of time for each activity in order to attain and maintain a balanced lifestyle, there are seasons which require us to work longer or shorter hours, spend less or exercise more, cut out or add certain foods to our diet, and so on.

King Solomon looked back at his life of excess and was disappointed by how meaningless all of it was. " 'Everything is meaningless,' says the Teacher, 'completely meaningless!'" (Ecclesiastes 1:2). He acknowledged, however, that God does ultimately bring beauty out of the rhythm of the changing seasons of life (3:11), writing "For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven" (3:1).

Contentment comes when we ease into a new rhythm in the midst of change. For instance, the birth of a child or the death of a loved one; the start of something new and the time it takes to grow and bear fruit (v.2); the moment we decide to put to death the one thing that´s been sapping our strength, and the day we choose to say we´re sorry and work towards healing (v.3); the times that we tear down or build up, cry or laugh, grieve or dance, scatter or gather, embrace or turn away, search or quit searching, keep or throw away, tear or mend, be quiet or speak up, love or hate, make war or bring peace (vv. 4-8).

In all things, at all times, finding a rhythm based in God´s leading is surely far more satisfying than striving for the perfect balance. - Ruth O'Reilly-Smith.

Read
Ecclesiastes 3:1-11
There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven : 
A time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build
a time to weep and a time to laugh
a time to mourn and a time to dance
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them
a time to embrace and a time to refrain
a time to search and a time to give up
a time to keep and a time to throw away
a time to tear and a time to mend
a time to be silent ad a time to speak
a time to love and a time to hate
a time for war and a time for peace.

What does the worker gain from his toil? I have seen the burden GOd has laid on men. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

Philippians 4:11-12
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

Question to Ponder
What does your current season of life look like?
How can God help you find a rhythm that honours and glorifies Him?

**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Dec 2014 - Feb 2015 issue