UNDERSTAND YOUR SEASONS

To everything -- a season, and a time to
every delight under the heavens:
A time to bring forth, And a time to die.
A time to plant, And a time to eradicate the planted.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

Life is made up of seasons and every year we experience Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.

Spring: This season defined “as to come into being, rise, or arise – A time to be born" In this phase, it is paramount to study the word of God to teach us about ourselves, His will for us and our purpose in life. This will help us come into being.

Summer: This season is defined as a "period of growth, of fruition, fulfilment, happiness or beauty- A time to plant". This is a time where we use what we have learnt in the ‘spring’ of our lives. We move on in our ministry, our careers, our relationships and much more. This is a time where we also 'plant' the word of God wherever we go, and in whatever we do.2 Corinthians 9:10 reads "Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness)".

Atumn: This season is defined as a "the of maturity, of harvest and reward – A time to pluck" up. In this phase, we draw on the resources was ‘planted’ in 'summer'. However, must also remember that harvesting is hard work. Have you seen a farmer in crop harvesting season? Thus, this is when we must be bold and daring to face all difficulties we come against.

When we start to reap the harvest of all those nights reading the word, obeying the word, and doing the master’s Will, the world will get jealous and envious and they will do their utmost to make us feel bad for all the good that the Lord is manifesting in your life. Do not be apologetic, your Father is just displaying a glimpse of how much He loves you.


Winter: This season is defined as "lodging, keeping or caring – a time to die". In this phase, material things no longer matter - the car, the house, the money and all of the earthly things, we tend to hold dear. It is a time where we must strive to be faithful with the very essence of our lives. A season where we must literally live out the reality of Hebrews 4:14, which reads “Having, then, a great chief priest passed through the heavens -- Jesus the Son of God -- may we hold fast the profession”. We must hold fast to the declaration of belief in or acceptance of religion or a faith.

As you start this new month and progress towards the end of yet another year, by God's grace, I encourage you to connect with God's wisdom to understand the seasons you are in; for all the areas of your life.

In all that you do, I encourage you to be:

• Intentional: To be intentional means to “do something with consciousness purpose, just like an athletic”. Have you ever seen a runner in a competition not intent on winning the race? That is how intent we must be in our work and walk, everyday in God's will. We must strive to be intentional to win as Paul puts it so clearly in 1 Corinthians 9:24 &26 , it reads "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain Run like Paul; I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air."

• Be informed: To be informed means to 'make aware of something or to be knowledgeable and educated'. In today’s age of seamless communication, there is no excuse for lack of information. How do you want it, on paper, on gadgets or on billboards? The information portals are endless. However, it is the right type of information at the right time that is most important. Hard work must be complimented with information. Why I hear you ask? It is because you can be working hard at something, based on the wrong information, which mostly will form the basis of what you are doing, hence obtaining the wrong outcome. Hoseah 4:6 reads "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children".

• Be innovative: To be innovative means to "introduce something new or different." To be effectively innovative we need God’s wisdom. Proverbs 8:12. reads “I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment. I know where to discover knowledge and discernment". Whether you are in school, working for someone, at home or running your own business, be innovative at what you do. Find efficient and better ways to do whatever you are involved in. Where there is a problem, there is always a solution. For example, why not make the weekly shopping last longer; in doing that, you might just have an epiphany that will bring you into fruitfulness. Connect to that creative spark in you, through God’s wisdom.
  

• Be invaluable and indispensable: To be invaluable means to "be beyond calculable or appraisable value and to be indispensable means to be an absolutely necessary and essential individual". Why don’t you strive and aspire to be the one they call when your company requires a solution to that problem, in your department – rather than being the one they eliminate? Proverbs 22:29 reads “Do you see any truly competent workers? They will serve kings rather than working for ordinary people”.

• Be intergrous: To be intergrous means to "have integrity, which means to adherence to moral and ethical principles; to be honest". Think about it, the world’s economy is flat on its face, mostly due to lack of integrity – moral, ethical standards and good old honesty. To fix the economy, what do you suppose would be in high demand. Proverbs 11:1 categorically tells us that “The LORD hates anyone. However, we must be aware that living a life of integrity means our values as a Christian will be tested".
  

I pray that with God’s help and His infinite wisdom, He opens us not just to the meaning, and understanding of the seasons we are in, but also what we must do in them.

Have a great month and journey to finish this year strong, in whatever season you are in; making God famous along the way.

Much Love, Remi

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