For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to kill and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 ASV
Mallory likes to take her nose and plow through the snow. She lays in it and can play for hours. She rolls on her back and catches snowflakes as they fall. Seneca likes the snow, too. She seems invigorated in the winter. Bella is glad when spring comes and she can go outside and soak in the sun. Danni likes the piles of leaves that accumulate on the ground in the fall. She bulldozes through them like Mallory does the snow.
We all have favorite seasons during the year. Some like the colorful flowers in the spring or the warm temperatures of summer. The beauty of the leaves as they change colors can be breathtaking. Winter brings the purity of a new fallen snow and the excitement of Christmas.
Whatever your favorite season is we all can understand the passage of scripture found in Ecclesiastes. It talks about a time for everything under the sun. It is a list of opposites that we all must go through in our lifetime. There is a time to be born and a time to die; a time to build and a time to tear down; a time to weep and a time to laugh. We have all been there at one time or another. We experience good times as well as bad. There are times we look forward to and other seasons we would like to avoid like the plague.
We have a God who understands. Hebrews 4:15 tells us, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet he did not sin.” Jesus lived his life on earth for 33 years. He experienced all the seasons that Ecclesiastes speaks of in Chapter 3. He was there when his father, Joseph died. He mourned at the tomb of Lazarus. He celebrated at the wedding of Cana. He held his tongue and did not reply to Herod but spoke out to multitudes during his ministry.
Jesus knows and understands the seasons of your life. If you are in a joyful time, he wants to share your happiness. If you are experiencing loss, he longs to carry your burdens. If you are in the construction phase, he is your master builder. Verse 11 says, “He has made everything beautiful in its time.”
This is the time of your life to let Jesus turn your ashes into beauty. Isaiah 61:3 states, “To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory.” This is another list of opposites and God wants to provide the beautiful transformation.
Look for the beauty of the seasons and walk through them with Jesus. He is your guide, your protector and your friend. He will make everything beautiful.
Just Another Dog Devotion 