A Time To Every Purpose

When I was in junior high (what we now call middle school), one of my favorite songs was “Turn, Turn, Turn” by the Byrds.  I loved the harmonies and the lyrics.  At the time I had no idea that the words were from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8.  (If you want to take a trip down memory lane, you can listen to it here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKP4cfU28vM).

The song speaks of “a time to every purpose.”  Another way of saying that is “everything has its season.”  The tagline on my logo is “Blessings, Breakthroughs, Beginnings.”  Our God is the creator of seasons, and He is definitely a fan of new beginnings.   Genesis 8:22 says, “As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.”  It is God who created the renewing cycles of nature.

Some areas of the world have only two seasons, such as the dry season and the rainy season.  I am blessed to live in New England, where we have four very different and distinct seasons.  This year the first day of Spring is next Monday (March 20).  It’s a time most New Englanders look forward to, with the days longer and warmer, and the flowers and trees in bloom. Already the birds are building nests under the eves of our house, in preparation for new life.   “See!  The winter is past; the rains are over and gone.  Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land” (Song of Songs 3:11-12).

Spring:  New Growth, Renewal, Hope

Spring is the season of new growth and renewal.  It’s a season of hope, the time when Easter is celebrated.  The prophecy of Isaiah 35:1 is fulfilled:  “The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.”  I believe this refers both to the land and to men’s hearts.  Do you feel like you’re in a wilderness right now?  Is your spiritual life dry and parched?  Jesus said, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.  Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, out of them will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:37-38).  If you are in need of renewal, now is the time to come to Him.  The season of spring is a declaration that He’s the God of new beginnings!

Many have been praying for years for revival, for another Great Awakening, for a new Jesus People movement.  I believe those prayers are being answered.  God is preparing His people, because the fields are white with harvest.  Now is the time to seek His face.  “Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him.  As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth” (Hosea 6:3),

Just as the spring rains come to nourish new growth, God desires to pour out His Holy Spirit on His children, so that they may blossom and grow and become all He has created them to be.  As it says in Isaiah 44:3, “For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.”  Paul spoke of holding this treasure in “earthen vessels,” indicating containers that may sometimes leak.  If you’re feeling a bit dry, ask Him for a refill!

Is Your Garden Ready?

Gardens don’t just happen.  There is a lot of preparation involved.  Mighty revivals bring mighty changes, so be sure you prepare your heart for what is to come.  Follow the “gardening advice” of Hosea 10:12, “Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you.”

Many years ago, an evangelist from Africa came to our church.  His name was Dr. Julius Coker.  He taught us a chorus that has been resonating in me lately:

There’s excitement in the air, can’t you feel it in your soul?
God is moving by His grace, yes, He’s moving in this place.
Won’t you let Him take control, and rejoice in Him today?
There’s excitement, there’s excitement in the air!

Spring is coming.  Soon it will be Easter.  The tomb is empty, the Savior has risen.  Jesus is alive and the Holy Spirit is moving!  A glorious season is upon us.  Are you getting excited?  “For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations” (Isaiah 61:11).

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Related Post:

“Savor the Season You’re In!”  http://www.livingthetransformedlife.com/savor-the-season-you’re-in