Sweaters, Sandals and Seasons

I am in Cape Town, South Africa.  I flew here last week from Paris, France.  Checking the weather report, the predictions for both locations were similar.  Even though France is going from spring to summer and South Africa’s fall is changing into winter, I erroneously thought that 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit was going to feel the same in both places.  Wrong. 

What I didn’t take into account were winds from an icy Atlantic and the start of the rainy season in South Africa. The lodging where I am staying has no heat available.  None.  There is a fireplace, but even when it is in use, it is basically ornamental.  All the heat goes up the chimney.

My heavy suitcase is full of summer clothes. At least they will still be clean when I return to France. You would think that with all the travel I do, I would know better.  Just before I left France, I observed many people wandering about in sweaters and jackets, but eager for the warmer weather, I suppose, they had changed their winter boots for summer sandals. 

Now I find myself in that same situation.  With one exception, I only brought sandals to South Africa, but I find myself layering all those summer clothes and wearing the two jackets I brought every day – whether or not they match my clothing!

Life is full of seasons.  Sometimes we are prepared for the next one. In moving from youth to adulthood, or high school to college, we spent years anticipating and preparing for that season in our lives.  From being single to married, from living with parents to being on our own, we plan for that season.  Other times we are caught by surprise. Parenthood sometimes comes without a definite plan; becoming grandparents especially so.  Each season that presents itself has its own challenges and joys. 

Job, a man who trusted God and was blessed by Him, was taken by surprise when he experienced the hardest season of his life.  Without any warning, he lost everything but a nagging wife.  During the trials and heartache of that season, he longed for the days of his prime.  Through it all, God was watching and allowing Job to be tested.  In the end, Job passed the test. Even in his most despondent days, he did not sin against God in what he said about Him. Even when he wondered if God had deserted him, he was determined to trust the God he had known in the past seasons of life.  God richly rewarded him, not only restoring family and riches, but giving Job a new level of understanding of who He is. Whereas Job had heard of God before, he said, now my eye sees You.

For those of us who long to know God better, when an unexpected season presents itself, we can learn lessons from Job’s experience.  God has not vacated the premises.  He still cares.  He is still in control.  He wants to bring us into a new level of relationship with Him.  Through times of confusion, be encouraged that He has a purpose for anything He allows in our lives.

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1).