Open Season

"To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to pluck 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;
A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to gain, and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to throw 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 of war, and a time of peace." Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Contrary to popular belief, Simon & Garfunkel did not write these words. Contrary to what the world believes, there is a time and place for everything.

I don't know what season you are enjoying or enduring in life right now but I want you to know that God is not oblivious to what you are going through. If you are in a season of laughter - laugh. If you are in a season of dancing - dance. None of us know when the seasons of life will change. We can enjoy the wonderful seasons but we need to be able to weather the difficult ones as well.

What I have noticed in the verses above is that for every season there is an opposite. I may have to keep silent during a season but there will come a season when I can speak. I may have to endure a season of breaking down but on the horizon is a season of building up.

Not only is this true in your life but it's true of everyone around you regardless of their belief system. We as believers need to be sensitive to the seasons in our own lives but also to the seasons that our freinds and co-workers are going through as well. I'm also a believer in the fact that there are season when those around us are open and sensitive to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It's during those times that we need to step through the open doors and share what God has done in our lives and what He can do in the lives of others.

Look around you today - the fields are white ready to harvest. There could be a soul close by ready to accept the gospel, a person in need of encouragement, someone in need of counsel, or an individual in need of comfort. All too often we walk with blinders on without regard to the seasons around us. I guarantee you that God has placed someone in your life that can use the ministry you have.