“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, KJV)
Purpose? Like, not random happenings? A season implies cycle. Something that repeats. We are not normally looking for purpose when contemplating a season. If everything has a season, can a purpose be found in each of them? Some think themselves wise because they see what is happening as merely a season, but is there actually a purpose worth recognizing in each of these seasons?
Let’s start with the actual term “purpose”. In the original Hebrew, it’s used 39 times throughout the old testament. Yet, it is seldom translated as purpose. It’s more commonly used as “delight”, “pleasure”, or a “desire”. So, when you think of purpose, you think of meaning, fulfillment, or reason. When you add delight, pleasure, or desire it makes it a good meaning, a deeper fulfillment, or a really big reason. So, looking through verses two through eight at the list of specifically identified seasons, you begin to see a common thread through all of them. These are very relationship centric seasons. If you want to build a relationship with someone, these are the prime seasons to come alongside someone. To be there for them. To be there with them. Even just to be close.
In fact, I would argue that these specifically identified seasons are even more prime time for letting God develop things in you. Look down the list in verses two through eight again. Are these not ready-made occasions for your trust to grow in God? Are they not perfect occasions to see who or what you’re listening to? These can in turn be used as powerful witness moments to that other person of what God has done in you in a very similar season that you’ve had to walk through.
You see, these are not just cyclical things that will pass that you just need to put your boots back on and plow through. These actually contain really really big meaning that there is a pleasure to be found in because God has taught you something special. Both specifically you, and specifically through that season. Which is what verse 11 is getting at. Not only do we begin to see the beauty in his time, but we realize that we ought not even attempt to get ahead of God. We really can’t find out the work that he is making until we let him make it in us and then we can begin to see it for its real wonder. This also comes with a reminder that those who are not putting their trust in God actually cannot see any of this meaning or pleasure or wonder. It’s sad because they miss both the horizontal relationship building opportunity with another and the vertical relationship building with God that is available right in the middle of these seasons. These seasons are never random. They were purposeful and personal all along.
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28, KJV)