Charles Haddon Spurgeon, an English preacher once remarked: “The seasons change, and you change, but your Lord abides evermore the same, and the streams of His love are as deep, as broad, and as full as ever.” Daniel 2:21 reminds us: “He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.”
Seasons are defined as each of the four divisions of the year (spring, summer, autumn, and winter) marked by particular weather patterns, ecology, and daylight hours, resulting from the earth's changing position with regard to the sun. In many ways,.seasons are said to reflect God From the beautiful colors that each depicts to the reminder and reassurance of His power and goodness. Each may be seen to emulate the story of creation itself, as each season has specific purpose that follows the cycle of life consisting of birth, a lifespan which concludes in death followed by new life. Flowers follow the same pattern, a new bud is born, it gradually matures into full bloom, its beauty finally ends as the petals fall to the ground, it eventually dies until a rebirth takes place at the start of a new spring.
Seasons can reflect the speed of life, the spring is renowned as the starting point of growth and movement but is initially slow in nature. The first buds appear and gradually transform into full reflective beauty. Summer is often considered the high point where there is much activity and appreciation. Autumn begins the process of slowing down and a period of thanks and reflection for what has previously taken place. The harvest is gathered before the starkness of winter, which is the dormant period of stillness and hibernation. Then after its harshness, a new season is born. Genesis 8:22 reminds us: “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.”
From the roses and their thorns, to the heavy drifts of snow.
The seasons that keep changing, they come as fast as they go.
In winter, the daylight becomes much shorter, night can be longer than day,
The feel of the air seems much cooler, as the sun loses the strength of its ray.
The promise of a spring to come, gives hope in the hearts of man.
When the brumal frost is over, life awakens, to rejuvenate and plan.
Summer is the best of all, its a time of joy and warmth,.
As man enjoys its radiance, it invites a purpose to go forth.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-22 reminds us: “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what 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 tear, 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. What gain has the worker from his toil?
I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil - this is God's gift to man. I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him. That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; and God seeks what has been driven away. Moreover, I saw under the sun that in the place of justice, even there was wickedness, and in the place of righteousness, even there was wickedness.
I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time for every matter and for every work. I said in my heart with regard to the children of man that God is testing them that they may see that they themselves are but beasts. For what happens to the children of man and what happens to the beasts is the same; as one dies, so dies the other.
They all have the same breath, and man has no advantage over the beasts, for all is vanity. All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return. Who knows whether the spirit of man goes upward and the spirit of the beast goes down into the earth? So I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his work, for that is his lot. Who can bring him to see what will be after him?”
Prominent things that remain constant throughout every season include God’s love and protection, His guidance and teachings are never-ending. His concern for our sufferings is limitless. He is available for all our needs whatever they may be, and His presence is continuous. Matthew 6:31-32 confirms: “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.”While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.”
Unfortunately, for some, seasonal adjustments can create problems. The changes can impact mental health by disrupting circadian rhythms and affecting serotonin levels. This can lead to mood fluctuations, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. However, seasons can also reflect new beginnings or determine endings. Henry Cloud, an American psychologist once remarked: “Everything has seasons, and we have to be able to recognize when something's time has passed and be able to move into the next season. Everything that is alive requires pruning as well, which is a great metaphor for endings”.
Scientifically, seasons are considered a natural phenomenon dictated by the Earth’s tilt and the changing position of its sphere in relation to the sun. As the Earth’s axis is tilted, it usually receives the sun’s most direct rays at certain times of the year. This creates climate changes that can involve a difference in heat, cold, rain, snow etc. However, a dominant factor in substantial changes in the weather conditions is dependent upon which country one is situated in. Countries in close proximity to the equator will not usually experience such dramatic changes as those further away, as there is less seasonal variation.
The equator is located closer to the sun than any other place on Earth. In moderation, the sun can be beneficial to health as it enhances vitamin D levels in the body which is considered beneficial for bone health, mood and skin conditions. The countries situated near the equator encounter little periods of twilight as the sun is considered perpendicular to the horizon. Night becomes day in a relatively short time and sunset becomes night just as quickly. Isaiah 55:10-11 reminds us: “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”
Amen.
