Last week we discussed the concept of seasons, and we were challenged to identify which season we werecurrently in and to seek God for purpose within it. Being realistic with your soul and admitting to which season you are in can often times be discouraging. If we are in a fall or winter season, there is a great chance that we aren’t too pleased with our situation(s) and we are desperate for the taste of sunshine and warm weather. When we are in these darker seasons, we tend to search for someone or something to blame for being the cause of why we are here in the first place. Other times we are longing so much for the joys of spring and summer, that we miss the point of why the Lord has us in a time of trial or waiting. And then there are the times where we are filled with so much anger or bitterness because of our own season that we look onto those who are in a time of spring or summer and we begin to become envious.

Scripture warns us about what being envious can result to. In Proverbs 14:30 it says, “A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.” Envy prevents us from recognizing the season we are in and it makes us begin to neglect God’s blessings. Why should we be concerned about what season our brother is in? God has purpose for their season just as much as He has purpose for our season! This is a worldly way to look at things. God promises us fruit, He promises us that we will have an abundant life, but we must be patient in the process of getting there. Our seasons of fall and winter are what make the fruits of spring and summer taste so rich! When we desire to be in a different season, or even worse, when we desire for our brother or sister to not experience their joyful season, we are dismissing God and His plan.

In Matthew chapter twenty, Jesus challenged the laborers who were working in the vineyard. They were complaining that their fellow laborers got paid the same amount as they did, even though the other laborers did not work as many hours as they had. Jesus reacts, “Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity? So the last will be first, and the first last.” This gives us so much perspective on the mindset of God. He is precise and intentional with the plans that He makes.

Remember that just as much as there is reason for your season, there is reason for the seasons your fellow neighbors are in as well. Be challenged in this season, rather than to look upon others with envy, look to the Lord with a gracious and humble heart and find purpose for where you are right now.

“There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil.

This also, I saw, is from the hand of God,

for apart from Him who can eat or who can have enjoyment?”

Ecclesiastes 2:24-25

Keep fighting the Good Fight,

Brenda Abel