Happy Monday 23rd September 2024! For those of us in the UK, this is a significant day—it’s the Autumn Equinox, the day when daylight and night are perfectly balanced, and we officially wave goodbye to summer. From here on out, the days will get shorter, and the nights will grow longer. It’s the start of a new season—a shift in nature that invites us to reflect on the seasons of life that we go through.
The changing of the seasons often makes us stop and think about the shifts in our own lives. Some seasons bring joy and abundance, while others feel long and difficult. But here’s the good news: God is in control of every season, both in the natural world and in our lives. Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”
Seasons of Life
Have you ever noticed how each season in the UK has its own charm? Summer brings sunshine (when we’re lucky!), winter brings snow (occasionally), and autumn is a time for crisp leaves and cosy jumpers. Each season, whether we enjoy it or not, has a purpose.
In the same way, God uses the seasons in our lives to shape us. You might be in a season of growth and celebration, where everything is flourishing. Or maybe you’re in a season of waiting, wondering when the next breakthrough will come. It’s easy to get frustrated when things feel stagnant, or when change is difficult. But just as the earth needs both rain and sun to bear fruit, we need both mountaintop moments and valleys to grow in our faith.
James 1:2-4 reminds us 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.”
God’s Hand in Every Season
The beauty of God’s creation reminds us that He is with us through every change. Just as the autumn leaves fall and make way for something new, sometimes God allows things in our lives to fall away so He can bring new growth. It’s not always easy to let go of what we’ve become comfortable with, but God knows the bigger picture.
You might be entering a new chapter—a new job, a new home, or even a new challenge. Know that God is in it all. The same God who carefully designed the changing of the seasons is carefully designing the details of your life. When we trust Him, we can walk through any season with confidence.
In Isaiah 43:19, God says, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Just as He renews the earth, God is always doing something new in us.
A Moment to Reflect
As we welcome autumn, take some time to reflect on the season you’re in. Are you in a time of growth, or maybe a season of waiting? Wherever you find yourself, trust that God is working in and through you. Just as the world around us changes with each season, so too does our faith journey.
Reflection Verse
“He has made everything beautiful in its time.” – Ecclesiastes 3:11
Reflection Question with an Action Step
What season are you in right now? How is God speaking to you in this time? This week, take 10 minutes each day to reflect on how God is shaping you in this season. Write down one thing you’re grateful for in this period of your life, even if it’s a challenging one.
Encouraging Action
As you step into this new season, trust God with the changes ahead. Maybe start the week by embracing something new—a new habit, a new prayer routine, or even just a new way of thinking. Open your heart to what God might be teaching you as you transition into this next phase.
