By Pastor Jeff Wade, The Rock of Panama City Beach
One of the things I love about September is that it begins a seasonal change. Living in Panama City Beach, we all know there are still many hot days left ahead here on the beach, but like it or not, the season is changing once again. Eventually the heat will give way to drier and cooler air. An old season will end, and a new season will begin.
Where do the seasons come from? The word of God gives us the answers to all things. When God created the heavens and the earth, seasons began. Just as he put the lights in the vault of the sky to separate day from night, he also placed them there to mark sacred times, and days and years (Genesis 1:14) We also know the seasons of the earth work in the same way for 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.”
From the beginning of time itself, seasons have come and gone, each one with its specific purpose to us from a gracious and loving God. Have you ever considered why God gave us seasons in his design of creation? Maybe you are inclined to respond through the eyes of your own personal experiences in life and you would suggest that God gave us fall so that we would have football. Or maybe someone would say God gave us winter so that we could have Christmas. Someone else may say God gave us summer so that we could have beach time. While those activities certainly happen during those seasons, I don’t think its why God gave us the seasons. I would like to make a suggestion for consideration. One of the things that I have learned about God’s heart in pastoring here on the beach the past four years is that God loves diversity.
When God created the earth and the inhabitants of the earth he could have done so any way he wanted. There is so much intentionality behind his design. He set the earth on its axis, tilted it, and gave it a slow spin. It works on complete tandem and harmony with the sun, the moon, and the rest of our solar system. In doing so, as the earth rotated, seasons would change. There would be a diversity of change and weather, hot and cold, summers and winters. Plainly put… there would be a diversified constant change that will never cease. God gave us seasons so that we would see his glory in everything and also to experience multitudes of changes in his creation.
I find it important to tell you that not only do we have the seasons of the earth, but we also have seasons of life as well. They too are part of God’s diversified plan for you. I wonder what season you find yourself in today. Some are in a season of health. Some are in a season of sickness. Some are in a season of financial stability. Others are in a season of poverty. Some are enjoying the season of raising kids, while others are in a season of enjoying an empty next and simple time together as husband and wife. Just like earthly seasons, life seasons too will constantly change. So in this ever changing world, and in this ever changing life, is anything constant?
Yes.
Jesus.
Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
