The Seasons of Life
I was in Bangkok, Thailand in the Fall of 2019 for a conference led by Richard Blackaby. Richard is the son of Henry Blackaby, known for his powerful testimony and workbook entitled, Experiencing God. A book, I might add, that has impacted my life and ministry greatly.
Richard is carrying on in the tradition and grace of his father. His leadership at our conference in Thailand was a great blessing and encouragement to our Asia Pacific pastors.
While at the conference, I purchased Richard Blackaby’s book, The Seasons of God. The book of Ecclesiastes tells us that “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” Using this scripture and many others, Blackaby makes this statement early in the book -
“God intentionally, right from the start, built change and variety into creation, and the upshot for you and me is that things don’t stay the same.” (Italics by the author)
Seasons change, and they change regularly and often. Right now, I’m enjoying what is probably my favorite season, Fall. Cooler weather along with the changing colors of the trees are just a couple of the reasons I love Fall. But regardless of how much I love the Fall, winter is coming. And then Spring. And then Summer. And the truth is that I must make the most of each season.
The same is true for the seasons of our lives. They come and go, and we must embrace and make the most of each one. Now, let me be clear about something: I’m not talking about the aging process. I’m talking about the constant, changing seasons we all experience in life. That is Blackaby’s focus in his book.
I’ve been through several Springs, Summers, Falls, and Winters in my life and ministry. And as I’ve grown older (and a little wiser), I’ve learned to recognize the season I’m in. Right now, at sixty-five years of age, I’m in a Spring season. After a two-year hiatus from serving as a pastor, I am relishing my new place of ministry here in North Carolina with Embrace Church. I’m also enjoying rekindling at least one older relationship, while making a lot of new ones, both in and out of the church. Best of all, I’m enjoying the Spring season of being a grandaddy for the first time. Our little Yelena is coming to visit for a week, and I am beside myself. You better believe I’ll do my best to get her out on the golf course!
What season are you currently in? That’s an important question for all of us. It’s a question that helps us to perceive what God is doing in each of our lives. And when we begin to recognize what God is doing, we can, as Henry Blackaby is so fond of saying, “join him in his work.”
I hope you will take some time to consider the current season of your life. While you’re at it, consider purchasing Richard Blackaby’s book. You won’t regret it.
In Christ,
Dan
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You can listen to my weekly messages at Embrace Church, High Point.