God of all seasons

In Ecclesiastes 3:1, King Solomon writes, “There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every matter under heaven.” He then goes on to list many of the seasons we might walk through in life. Each of the seasons that follow has its proper time and duration.

Seasons have a significant purpose in our lives. God designs and ordains these seasons to mold us into who He intends us to be. They can be good or bad experiences, but they are there to remind us that He is in control and makes everything beautiful in its own time.

The gift of time applies also in the lives of individuals. Just like the four seasons—winter, summer, spring, and fall—we too have similar seasons: birth, childhood, teens, young adulthood, midlife, old age. They bring different experiences and complexities to different people.

Life’s changing seasons bring into question what is within our control and what we have little or no authority over. Fear and anxiety can spread in times of uncertainty. Rather than reacting to changing situations, we can remain in the security of God’s love.

We have to understand that the Bible teaches us that time is under the personal guidance and control of God. Time appeared at the moment of creation and becomes the instrument through which God continues to reveal His purpose for it. Biblical time is not abstract, but is inseparably linked with the history of the people of God.

The Bible presents that God is intimately involved in the timeline of human history and His perspective on time is vastly different from ours. Psalm 90:4 tells us: “For a thousand years in Your sight are like yesterday when it passes by, or like a watch in the night”.

Understanding this can change how we perceive the timing of events in our lives. We may feel hurried or anxious about our personal timelines, but trusting in God’s perfect timing can bring us peace. Let us remember, our God reigns over all circumstances with His mighty power. Even in ever-changing seasons, we can confidently rely on His power, plan, and love. 

The Role of Time in Our Spiritual Growth

Time plays a crucial role in spiritual growth and maturity. When a person comes to faith in Christ, the guilt of sin is removed from him, and he now has a relationship with God. Yet he is born again not as an adult, but as a spiritual baby. Like an infant, he must now enter the process of growth over time.

However, spiritual growth doesn’t occur in a vacuum. It happens within intimate, vulnerable relationships with God and people. Time gives faith a chance to develop. Just as a seed needs time to germinate and grow, our spiritual lives require time to deepen and mature.

The Lord is using grace and truth in this process. He is a gracious, forgiving and merciful God. His grace saves us and unables us to grow. However, His truth is an essential part in our lives with Him and others. The most basic way to understand truth is that truth is what is; that is, truth is reality, what exists. Something can be truly good (like love) or truly bad (like deception), but both are part of the truth. Truth distinguishes reality from falsehood. We should pursue personal growth by seeking God, maintaining humility, and taking responsibility for our lives.

Chronos and Kairos

The New Testament writings had two main words for time: “chronos” and “kairos.” Understanding the meaning of these words and the concepts behind them will help us to understand how time is perceived in those times and their implications for us as believers in Christ today.

Chronos (χρόνος) is the Greek word that refers to time that can be measured – seconds, minutes, hours, days, years. This word is where we derive our term “chronology,” which is the ordering of events in time. Chronos time passes steadily. Wise individuals manage their actions within the time they have, knowing exactly how much time is available.  

In the Bible, chronos often indicates specific points in time or durations, such as the passing of days, months, or years. For example, in John 7:33 Jesus is telling the Pharisees that He will not be with them much longer (χρόνον). Here, the context of chronos refers to the time Jesus spends on the Earth. Therefore Jesus said, “For a little while longer I am going to be with you, and then I am going to Him who sent Me. (John 7:33)

In contrast, kairos (καιρός) refers to the opportune or right moment. Kairos is time judged not by its duration, but by its importance and value. Kairos also refers to a period of time that is significant, and therefore is sometimes translated “season.” 

A classic biblical example of kairos can be found in Galatians 4:4, which states, “But when the set time (kairos) had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman.” Paul emphasizes the importance of timing in God’s plan of salvation, suggesting that Jesus’s birth was not merely a matter of chronos, but an event laden with profound significance.

There are also kairos seasons in your life. There are times in your life which require you to adjust your normal routine and pay special attention. Look carefully for those seasons and listen for God’s voice of wisdom. The pace, pressure, and demands of chronos can cause you to miss the kairos. Don’t get so caught up in the minutes that you miss the moments. Pay attention. Recognize and respond to kairos moments and seasons in your life.

God’s Guidance

No matter what season you find yourself in, know that God is using this time to develop you into the person He's called you to be. Friends, we are called to be sensitive to His guidance. The Scriptures tell us that: For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God (Romans 8:14). Every season of our lives should be marked and characterized by God’s guidance. God has purposes and goals in every season that He wants to reveal to His children.

God promised Abraham He would deliver his descendants from a future slavery (Genesis 15:13-14). When the time came for the promise to come to pass, God used Moses to lead captive Israel out of Egypt. God led by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. God’s plan was for the Jews to enter the Promised Land! The Lord expected them to believe His Word, but tragically they disappointed Him.

However, in the next generation, Joshua leads them into The Land. This time, God asks the people to follow the Ark of the Covenant, instead of the pillars of cloud and fire. The Jews follow the instructions this time and enter the Land, but do not possess it in its fullness.

King David learns a hard lesson about God’s guidance when he decides to bring the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem. The Lord wanted the Ark to be in Jerusalem, but He wanted to bring it in His way. Because they did not seek explicit instructions from the Lord, a man named Uzzah died because he touched the Ark.

The Lord wants us to be sensitive to His guidance without holding onto our past experiences with Him. The Greek word for “led,” used in Romans 8:14 means “to bear, bring, carry, lead.” God wants to gently, tenderly and softly lead us in every season of our lives. All He is looking for is a heart that is open to His guidance.