A time for everything

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heaven." [Ecclesiastes 3:1]

I love this famous poem describing the different seasons, the facets of life, and the sovereignty of God over all things. Our lives are packaged into different seasons; and no season, whether good or bad, lasts forever.

Every season is part of a broader and meaningful plan, ultimately aimed at making "everything beautiful in its time" (Ecclesiastes 3:11). There will, however, be seasons in life when God begins to remove things, people, habits and places from our lives.

At first, it can feel painful and confusing, and we may find ourselves asking:

• "LORD, why did this happen?"

• "Why did this door close?"

• "Why did this relationship end?"

• "Why did I lose what I once valued?"

But often, what feels like loss, is actually God's loving preparation for our future. God removes what no longer serves the purpose He has for our next season. Many times, we can become too comfortable in places where we have stopped growing. We settle in jobs, mindsets, relationships or routines that feel safe, but keep us stagnant. Comfort can become a cage.

Sometimes our lives are so full of old things and routines that we cannot receive the blessings God wants to give us. If our hands are gripping onto bitterness, fear, old disappointments or unhealthy attachments, how can we receive peace, joy and fresh opportunities?

What stayed too long cannot stay forever when God declares a new season.

Isaiah 43:18-19 says:

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!......"

God knows that some things must go before greater things can come. A gardener prunes branches not because he dislikes the tree, but because he wants it to bear more fruit!

In John 15:2, Jesus says:

"He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, so that it will be even more fruitful."

When God cuts something away, it is not punishment, it is preparation. Not everyone assigned to our past, will walk with us into our future, some people, were only meant for a season. Also, God will separate us from those who drain our peace, weaken our faith or distract our purpose. Their departure may have hurt, but it protected us more than we realise.

There does come a time to wipe our tears, and trust God's wisdom, because if He has removed it, He saw what we cannot see. We may not understand every loss, every ending, every change, but we can trust the hands of God.

Romans 8:28 reminds us:

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."

So, if something or someone has been taken from your life - a relationship ended, a plan failed, a season closed or a comfort disappeared; do not only ask:

"What did I lose?

Ask:

"What is God making room for?"

Because when God removes what no longer serves our future, He is clearing the path for what does.

So, trust in the LORD to clear away every hindrance, and lead us into the new season He has prepared for us. God is sovereign.

Our activity in this world is meaningful as we rely on His wisdom, His timing and His goodness.

How heartening is that!