Eccl 3:1 "To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven." Seasons come and go; they have a beginning and an end. We just finished the Lent season and we are passing through the Easter season. We just finished winter, a time a hibernation and rest, and started springtime, a time of planting and new growth. The conscientious fruit tree farmer plants in spring, maintains the elements for growth in summer, harvests at the start of autumn, and allows the trees to rest in winter. Knowing the season allows the farmer to work in accordance to the tree's activity. The farmer coordinates his activities by seasons because he knows it will produce the most fruit. Just like the seasons of the year, our faith has seasons. Do you know the seasons or your faith or what season you are in?
Jesus used the parable of the fig tree (Mat 24:29-31) to illustrate that we need to be aware of our spiritual surroundings and seasons. One of the greatest tragedies for Christians is they do not recognize the season they are in. For example, if a Christian is in a winter season and becomes nervous that their does not seem to be any fruit appearing in their life, they may commit to new ministries in order to force themselves to produce fruit. No matter how hard they try, they won't produce fruit until God produces it in them. But what is worse is that sometimes they blame God for the lack fruit. I can't tell you how many times I've heard "I did everything right but God didn't come through." God does not fail. However we fail to recognize our seasons and work with God.
What should Christians do in the different seasons? In every season, being in touch with God is essential. I like to view the spiritual seasons following the seasons of the year, although there are liturgical and other season models. Lets start with spiritual springtime and finish in spiritual winter.
During springtime, look for the leading of God in new activities and ventures into new opportunities. On the personal level, these can be activities like new ways of doing your daily devotions or new relationships with encouraging saints. Regarding ministry, springtime can bring new ministry, more attendees or new ways of serving God. Be careful not to invest too much of yourself in all these new things because, just like a fruit tree, not every blossom will lead to fruit. These temporary blossoms serve to pollinate other blossoms. They are also signs to show us that it is springtime.
Summer is a time of spiritual development and fruit bearing. Applied to your personal spiritual development, you might find yourself learning to study scripture better, having deeply significant devotions where you feel God's presence more regularly. Applied to your ministry, you might find God giving you strategic insights, you seem to be more effective in your ministry or you have a new sense of anointing. On the other hand, Satan will attempt to divert you; to cause you to put your energies into non-fruit bearing activities. Some of these activities could be attempts to maintain some of the temporary blossoms that were never intended to bear fruit.
Experiencing Worship, The Study
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Experiencing Worship, The Study