By: Pastor Jarren Rogers

“Seasons are designed to deepen us, to instruct us, in the wisdom and ways of our God. To help us grow strong . . . like a tree planted by the rivers of water.” – Charles Swindoll

Imagine a world where there are no seasons. Maybe it is winter all the time. Snow always covers the ground. The heat’s always on in the house. Sledding is always an option. Or maybe it is always summer. Your car is always hot when you first slide in. You could always go for a swim. You always need to put on sunscreen.

To me, a world with only one season sounds . . . boring.

If we lost our seasons, we would miss out on the wonder and excitement that follows after seeing the first snowflake tumbling from the clouds before bed and waking to find school has been canceled. We would forget the beauty of nature as the air gets cooler and crisper, when the warm bonfires we sit around mimic the shades of red and orange displayed in the leaves on the ground and in the trees. Our memories of warm days and seeing flowers budding and thriving after a long, harsh winter would fade.

Without the cold, bitter reality of winter nights, we would not come to appreciate those warm, sunny days at the pool. Without those scorching, burning summer afternoons, we couldn’t fully enjoy snowball fights and snow angels followed by hot cocoa and conversations by the fire.

Just as the seasons of nature are necessary for us to truly appreciate and acknowledge each one, for us to learn and grow, for us to change, for us to begin anew, so are the seasons of life.

Most of the seasons in our lives are marked by a life-changing event such as the birth of a child, death of a family member, divorce, or marriage. New beginnings or new endings are the signposts by which we mark our lives. Sometimes they result in strong emotions or stress. Other times, they may offer us with a change of pace or perspective.

But just as with the fall, winter, summer, and spring, the seasons of our life are inevitable and necessary.

Seasons help us learn more about ourselves and others. They make life more meaningful, memorable, and interesting. Most importantly, God works each and every season of our life for our good.

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose,” (Romans 8:28).

Parents: Talk to your children about the biggest change in their life. Tell them that through each and every big event that comes their way, God wants to work it together for their good.