Changing seasons

Happy fall! Today's autumnal equinox marks the first day of fall - the days will be growing cooler and daylight hours will be shorter. I love the rhythms of the changing seasons, and I especially love the season of fall with its crisp air, vibrant leaves, and cooler temperatures. In this season, all of creation begins preparing for winter. Crops are harvested and stored, animals gather food and grow warmer coats, birds migrate south, leaves change color and eventually fall to the ground. 

Photo by Dillon Austin on Unsplash

The transition to autumn in creation also reminds us of the seasons present in our own lives. There are times for growth, consistency, and familiarity, and also times for preparation, change, and letting go. I am reminded of these familiar words from Ecclesiastes 3: 

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
² a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
³ a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
⁴ a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
⁵ a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
⁶ a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to throw away;
⁷ a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
⁸ a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace."

What kind of season do you find yourself in these days? Is it a season of taking on, or a season of letting go? Is it a season of planting and nurturing, or a season of harvest? Is it a season of grief, or a season of joy? 

We are not always comfortable with the season we are in. We may spend lots of time and energy wishing it were different, or looking longingly at others who find themselves in different seasons than our own. But while we may not be able to change things, we are reminded that seasons, by their very nature, don't last forever. They are here for a time, then gradually make way for the next season. Sometimes we enjoy them, other times we endure them, and often it's some combination of that.

What can you do to embrace the season you're in right now? What support do you need along the way? Winter might be cold and gloomy, but the cold and gloom feel more manageable when you have a warm coat and well-insulated boots. The same is true for the seasons in our lives. With the right resources and support, we're much better equipped to weather the ups and downs of a season. Maybe that looks like changing our schedules, asking for help, saying "no" to some things (even things we enjoy!) so we can say "yes" to other things, going to therapy, reaching out to friends, or finding a new volunteer opportunity to share our gifts. 

In all times and seasons, God's presence with us is steady and dependable. Whether we are grieving or joyful, overwhelmed or at peace, confident or unsure, the God who created us and loves us is there, too. In whatever season you find yourself, know that God goes with you, offering comfort, strength, and guidance for all that lies ahead. 

Bonus Resources:

• A beautiful little book about loss, death, and mystery - The Fall of Freddie the Leaf, by Leo Buscaglia
• Take a listen to Vivaldi's Four Seasons violin concertos. Autumn begins around the 21:00 minute mark
• And, of course, I can't mention Ecclesiastes 3 without hearing Turn! Turn! Turn! by The Byrds