Jeremiah 1:10 – “See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.”

Ecclesiastes 3:2 – “a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted”

Life is a roller coaster ride full of seasons, some for plucking up and planting down, some for watering, some for harvesting, some for sowing, others for reaping, some for gathering and scattering seed, some for resting from work, others for leaping into new opportunities. All seasons have their time to shine, some brighter than others.

Each season comes with its blessings and boundaries. But we can thrive in all of them. When we grow closer to the One who created periods of time and tides, we gain an understanding that in every season we have lessons to learn both in leisure and labour.

So, how can we better build into the seasons that God has placed us in?

Galatians 6:9 – “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

James 5:7 – “Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.”

We can’t quicken the times that God has set out for us, we can’t slow them down either. But we can water them, feed them and grow them.

What season do you currently find yourself in?

If it’s a season of difficulty: Allow God to breathe His hope into your season of hurt and hardship.

If it’s a season of challenge: Allow God to breathe His purpose into your pain.

If it’s a season of rest: Allow God to breathe His stillness into your surroundings.

If it’s a season of busyness: Allow God to breathe His strength into your striving.

If it’s a season of loss: Allow God to breathe His love without limits.

If it’s a season of dancing: Allow God to breathe His direction into your steps.

If it’s a season of planting: Allow God to breathe His strategies into your sowing.

Whatever it is, allow God to breathe His Spirit through your coming and goings.

After all, we cannot bear fruit without the Father.

Write down the following questions and spend time reading the scriptures below. Journal your answers:

• What season do you currently find yourself in?
• Have you allowed God to grow your character in this season?
• Are you bearing fruit in your current season?
• If not, why not?
• List five lessons you’ve learnt from your current season?
• Have any life altering decisions come from this time? Write them down.
• Has God revealed anything to you?
• What habit have you stopped or started during this season due to God’s revelation?

1 Corinthians 3:6-9 – “I planted, Apollos watered but God gave the growth. Neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. For we God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.”

John 15:1-17 – “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.² Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. ³ Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. ⁴ Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. ⁵ I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶ If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. ⁷ If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸ By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. ⁹ As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. ¹⁰ If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. ¹¹ These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. ¹² “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. ¹³ Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. ¹⁴ You are my friends if you do what I command you. ¹⁵ No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. ¹⁶ You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. ¹⁷ These things I command you, so that you will love one another.”

Genesis 8:22 – “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.”

Luke 10:2 – “And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Whatever you are labouring for, make sure it’s not in vain. Listen closely for the voice of the Lord, and invite Him in to direct your steps and guide you in the way of everlasting truth.

Sincerely,
Robynne