This week, I got to spend time with family and attend the high school graduation of a nephew, Chad. Graduation seems to be a transition of one point in time or a phase of life to another. I watched my nephew triumphantly receive his diploma and walk confidently to and off the stage to his new season. My nephew has already picked out his college and is all set to go. This time, the decision was his. Neither mom nor dad made the initial or the final preparations. He did it, with their help of course. But it was his choice.
This is a contrast to Chad’s kindergarten, primary or high school options. Mom and dad made all the decisions, spoke to the authorities and took charge of his entire schooling. This time around, he is in charge. I could not help reflecting and acknowledging that seasons change. The season of his initial growth has come to an end. He is now in another season – a mounting stage of development, gaining experience and exploring opportunities that were not open to him before. Making decisions, choosing paths, overcoming obstacles in ways that he had not had to before. Learning to process situations for himself and many times, by himself. Managing time and relationships and navigating responsibilities. Most of these are new, intimidating and trying.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” No longer will I lift my nephew as a little boy to embrace him; he bends to hug me now. No longer can I cuddle with him on my lap while he holds his toys or his books, He is now a man. He has entered the realm of adulthood and has put away childish things in so many respects (1 Corinthians 13:11). I realized that I needed to make the mental transition also which would allow for him to be treated as a man not as my “little nephew” anymore.
In our journey through life, seasons change. Life is not static. There is constant flux of ideas, knowledge, and approaches. We then need to make mental adjustments to accept and adapt to the seasons as they come and go. The journey ought to be one of continuous growth even when things are tough and/or unfavorable. It is true that we have moved from darkness to light (1 Peter 2:9) but seasons still change and consequently our journeys present elements of change also. This means that even in light, we have not arrived, there are adjustments in attitude, in understanding, in philosophy and in conduct that we as people of God, enlightened and informed, need to make. There is even more brightness and brilliance to attain to, while walking in the light and until we reach that perfect day (Proverbs 4:18).
So, my encouragement to each reader is to embrace the seasons as they change and grow in the process. Graduate from one season to the next. Ask yourself. What season is happening around me? What adjustments do I need to make? What changes?
Do not be afraid of the seasons. They come and they go. One thing remains constant and unfailing, it is that the Lord of the seasons is with us (Psalm 46). - Pastor Kerth
