People often use the word “season” to describe their lives.
I’m in a . . .
good season
hard season
painful season
I’m in a . . .
season of change
season of new growth
season of waiting
season of loss
season of blessing
season of dealing with my junk
season of healing from the past
Fill in the blank: I’m in a season of _____________________________________.
While most of us can identify descriptors of the season we’re in, the agrarian world of the Bible hints that every season is more complex than we realize. Consider the following:
This week we’re spending time with the farmer in the Scouting the Divine Online Summer Bible Study. If you want to join us, it’s not too late! Click here.
What I’ve been reflecting on this week is that in agrarian world of the Bible reminds us time and time again of our dependence on God—no matter what the season.
In my own life, I’m in a season of healing.
It’s longer. Harder. More painful. Than I ever imagined.
But it’s part of the rhythm of life, of the land, of the way God fashioned creation. Every time I grip dirt in my hands, I’m grounded in this truth.
For farmers during Biblical times, the dry conditions made farming a challenge.
Average rainfall occurred during a handful of months—October through March. In Deuteronomy 11:14, the passage refers to God giving the “early rain” (Hebrew yoreh—likely October-November) and the “latter rain” (Hebrew malqos—likely March-April). The same cycle continues today.
Whenever the rain pattern shifts, farmers are hit hard swinging from brutal dry conditions to unpredictable torrential storms that can wash away freshly planted seeds.[i]
The annual rhythms of farming followed a pattern:
-Flax harvested in March-April (Joshua 2:6)
-Barley harvested in late April-May (Ruth 1:22)
-Legumes harvested in late April-May
-Wheat is harvest May-mid-June
-Olives, figs, grapes and pomegranates harvested mid-August-October
In Social and Economic Life in Second Temple Judea, Samuel L. Adams notes that the variety of foods provided protection from years of low yield. Farmers faced many obstacles including…
Weeds
Famine
Drought
Pests
Birds
Animals
Political challenges
Military takeovers
The parable of the sower teaches us that even the hardest working, most diligent farmers face difficulties. They were forced to look to God for their productivity and survival.
And so are we.
The seasons we’re in—whether we’re sowing or reaping or waiting or resting or working around the clock—bring unique challenges.
Take a few moments to think more in-depth about the season you’re in.
The rainfall or lack there of
The size and quantity and variety of pests
The sunshine or clouds or wind
The sudden changes in weather
The unexpected storms on the horizon
Reflecting through this lens can help ground you and equip you to answer the question that God has long been asking since the Garden:
Where are you?
*Samuel L. Adams, Social and Economic Life in Second Temple Judea (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2014), 83.
Looking for a new worship playlist to listen to as you study? Here’s one of my favorites.
Thank you for encouraging us to think about the season we’re in. For me, I spend a lot of time thinking about the season I would like to be in. The one in the future that’s still yet to come.
Oftentimes, I’m so fixated on this that I miss the lessons I need to learn and who I need to become in order to move into that season.
It’s all a journey and one where we should focus on the present moment both to enjoy and to learn.
Thanks for the reminder.
Thank you for your encouraging books and word’s of wisdom. My season that I am in right now is a season of loss. My husband died unexpectedly 16 months ago in his sleep. Perfect health, minister, very kind, gentle man. We had only been married 13 years, my first marriage was very abusive. I have never felt so alone in my life. People that were here for me when it happened, has just walked away. I know people are very busy with their own families. I have so many decisions, and yet I can’t make any. Just want you to know that your books have encouraged me alot. May God richly bless you!!! Thanks, Treasure
My season of life seems to change every day. I am so thankful that whatever season I am experiencing, God is with me. 🙂
May God bless you richly in your season of healing. My husband and I are in a season of unexpected storms as he battles lymphoma. Thanks for the reminder that the purpose of every season is to force us to look to God for survival.
Oh Margaret,
I can’t even begin to tell you what is happening in my life right now, as I really can’t articulate it with words yet. Between finishing up Fighting Back With Joy and now doing Scouting the Divine with my beautiful boy….whew!
I am in a season of a new harvest crop of discovery. Discovery of my unbelievable Shepherd, the One who lays Himself over the gate, even when I want to dart out fast because I sense a predator. Discovery of myself and what is happening inside me from my inner Spirit, and what is transpiring in my mind.
I am so mindful of how I was one of the marginalized and how He gently came out looking for me….ME! And how He rejoiced, just like Lynne in her email: “As I experience her trust and her knowing me I just feel a warm joy.” Mmmmm…..do you think God is trying to show me something here about joy????
When I was doing Fighting Back With Joy there was a session that threw me for a few weeks, the grieving part, and I remember one week I just dug into the bible about when Jesus went out to take space and pray and when He wept. Although I was looking at different books of the same story I just kept writing it all down, the scripture, and all of them spoke of “Calm down! It’s Me! Don’t be afraid!”, just like the angels did meeting up with the shepherds. BUT the biggest piece of scripture I discovered on this random scattering of Word in my journal and honestly I have no clue how I found it was this: “But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. So when you recover, strengthen the other disciples.” Luke 22:32 Oh my heart Friend. A scripture I have clung to for years has been “Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.” John 6:12
As a saved marginal I have tried so to pick up the broken fragments so I can help others so that all was for not since I read that. When I discovered “When you recover, strengthen the other disciples” I was blown away!
Even as I struggled with the grieving, and to be completely honest I still am, I know my Shepherd is nudging me along gently with his rod and staff, comforting me and telling me when you regain your strength Robin, go reach out to some other marginalized people…you’ve got this, my little black sheep of the family.” xoxoxoxo
And to experience this scouting with my 17 year old son, well, what a gift to hear him speak as we discuss our session questions. Praise God and thank God for Him using you as His vessel to let me nudge in even closer to Him.
((Hugs))
Dear Sister in Christ ..
I am late starting this study and just reading posts tonite noticed no replies I’m so sorry for the pain you are in ..I too am a widow
I was married 30 years and my life suddenly changed when a simple surgery went wrong and I was suddenly a widow.
Panic, anxiety, and so many more things financial crisis I had to deal with ..you can write me peivate if you like I will leave my email.
I do know they say don’t make big decisions in the first year I waited 6 years
I had 2 high schoolers at the time , money was an issue but I saw the Lord provide our every need .
met all my needs..
I would just allow yourself to grieve, rest, talk as much as you want about him and how you miss him..
I’m sorry your friends let you down it seems to be a normal people are awkward and don’t know how to deal with it. He is faithful and will get you through it ..just don’t rush it , let him lead you and carry you .
If you write me Id love to share some other things that helped me .
I hope I can get into this study I ordered stuff late and it’s still a hard time with me out of work on disabilty , money about out so much more but I’ve seen God be my husband and Sheperd and I know he will,not fail me or you !
Know you are loved and He cares for your sorrow …we love you too your sisters you’ve never met
Those were the ones that were the best support to me even still .its not as we expect it .he will be doing a new thing for you .
Dear sweet sister,thank you so much for reaching out to me. It’s so encouraging to know that people do care, even ones we have never met. I am so sorry for your loss as well. It’s 3 am where I live. Just one of those nights. I understand your,struggle as well ,for I am on disability , but like you God has not failed me . He does show up when we least expect it . This is one example, you replying to my comments. Thank you sister for sharing with me. Would love to write to you. I did not see your email , but will look again. Mine is treasurewilliams@att.net may God bless you!! Also I have not ordered the study, hoping I can in a few days.
You are not alone in that, Jennifer!
Treasure, I’m so sorry for your incredible loss. You are thought of. You are prayed for. You are so loved.
Amen!
Robin, What a beautiful season the Lord has you in. Continued prayers for you as you seek God’s face in this season, with your family. Huge hug.
My husband and I have been saying we are in a season of.transition. our children are.growing up and.leaving the nest. We sense a change in direction for our lay ministry but we don’t know what it will lead to. My husband has been a stay at home dad and he is considering employment options. I don’t know what the future holds but I feel called.more and more to seek God. I have a peace that He will lead us wherever we need to go next.
Praying for you, Joy.
Your point of view caught my eye and was very interesting. Thanks. I have a question for you.