Seasons Change

Today's forecast for my hometown was sunny and a high around 80 degrees.  Well, the sun never showed, there was a cool northern breeze, and the temp topped out at just around 70.  I couldn't help but feel that today felt like a true fall day, the first one of the season perhaps.

That got me to thinking about how seasons change, and it is good that seasons change.  Though sometimes it's a struggle to go from sunny and warm days to cooler, darker days, we always make it through and are rewarded with a harvest time where the air is crisp, the colors are glorious, and the smells take us back to childhood.  I have one more day at home before I go off to school again, and I couldn't help but think of the seasons of life.

Ecclesiastes 3 begins by telling the reader about the seasons of life.  There's time for everything.  New friendships, old friendships, summer jobs, family, school, activities, etc.  As I thought about this, it made me a little sad, even annoyed.  Why do we have to go through so many changes?  Make friends, lose them, be with family, go to school, grow at summer camp, struggle at college, but it was then I realized that I shouldn't be sad.  Not sad or angry or scared or anything but joy and anticipation, because behind it all is God's perfect plan.

In Jeremiah 29, we're told about the plans God had/has for his chosen people, Israel, and I can't help but imagine how He has the same types of plans for us:

                            "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, 
                             plans to give you hope and a future."

Romans 8 says something similar:

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

The seasons of life are part of God's plan for our lives.  We have nothing to fear, mourn, or be agitated at because he's in control.  God grows us through trials and blessing.  This reminded me of Job's situation.
At end of his conversation with the Lord, Job says:

  "I know that you can do all things; 

       no plan of yours can be thwarted.

  You asked, 'Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?' 

       Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, 

       things too wonderful for me to know.

  "You said, 'Listen now, and I will speak; 

       I will question you, 

       and you shall answer me.'

  My ears had heard of you 

       but now my eyes have seen you.

  Therefore I despise myself 

       and repent in dust and ashes."

How silly and arrogant of me to be disgruntled with the changes in life.  Instead, it should be my prayer that God would continually sustain and prepare me for the constant changes He has planned for me, that I might always look to do His perfect will and glorify His name.