A Season for Everything: Letting Go and Letting God Lead

As December approaches, so does the chance for more snow! We just had a bit come through a few weeks ago and a little earlier than normal, and it was a lovely gift. I know there are varying views about snow, but its beauty cannot be denied, whatever challenges it may create. It has its place during the winter season, as do the other things associated with this time of year: trees, lights, and warm, rich foods.

One thing about snow that’s interesting is for all its beauty, there is also a time for it to dry up and go until next time. Kind of like Frosty the Snowman, I guess? It’ll be back again someday, but it cannot remain forever. You can see that most clearly in the places in your yard where the sun doesn’t touch. After a few days past the snow, that little pile that was in the corner of the garage door or under that bush was no longer white. Instead, it’s a brownish, dirty color. And it’s not even snow, it’s a crunchy, icy mess. It sort of outstayed its purpose and turned into something not really like it was meant to be.

You know, this can happen in our lives too. There can be things that once had purpose or brought joy, but no longer serve their original goal. We might have hobbies we’ve taken on that have moved from a pastime to something that’s too consuming. Or we might have equipment or decorations in our home that once had a purpose, but have turned into something we now spend time obsessing over or keeping up for the sake of keeping up. It’s when this happens that we begin to realize these things have outlived their reason for being in our lives.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” The chapter goes on to describe how there are times for planting and harvesting, crying and laughing, silence and speech. Really, not much in this life is meant to last except relationships with family, our zeal to share the Gospel, and, of course, our walk with Christ. But many other things come and go as life changes and we change.

Praising Him with you,

William