Life's Rhythm

In creation, we are constantly experiencing

life's rhythm...

God’s rhythmic imprint.

Think about it:

Night inevitably follows day.

The seasons and people change.

Birds migrate and return.

The tides ebb and flow.

Our senses are aware

of the rhythm of the world around us —

we can smell the air and know

what the weather will be like.

We’re used to the rhythm of the climate.

With God, we are always responding

to something He is doing.

We can flourish when we

live in rhythm with creation

and with God.

Each major transition in our lives

presents a gift...

if we are open to receiving it.

Life's Rhythm helps us

recognize what season we are in,

and it helps to bring into focus

who we are and why we are here.

Creation is rhythmic.

In every part of creation we can find rhythm,

pulses, and beats.

Our vitality, joy, and peak quality of being

are more likely to be garnered...

by the kind of life rhythm we are by natural character

or ability aligned to.

We are synchronized with God’s timing.

Life’s rhythms

are genetically "hard-wired"

into our cells, tissues, and organs.

Through bodily functions that affect our ability

to switch between wakefulness and sleep...

we can find God’s planned rhythm.

According to the National Oceanic and

Atmospheric Administration,

The cycle of seasons is caused by Earth's tilt

toward the sun.

The planet rotates around an (invisible) axis.

At different times during the year,

the northern or southern axis is closer to the sun.

During these times,

the hemisphere tipped toward the star

experiences summer,

while the hemisphere tilted away from the sun

experiences winter.

God carries out His plans in seasons...

a fitting time.

God is a God of seasons,

and God is at work in all seasons…

even in seasons when we don’t see much activity.

God nurtures us and grows us

through different seasons until we are

equipped for the harvest.

God has planned the seasons of our lives

with infinite wisdom.

He has ordained each one,

knowing exactly what fruit is to be harvested

during each period.

Our lives cycle through seasons,

and we are synchronized

with God’s divine timing.

God created the seasons

with a specific purpose.

Just like the seasons in nature,

we all move through spiritual seasons of

spring, summer, fall, and winter.

We move from one spiritual season to the next.

Some of them are upbeat and jubilant,

and some are dismal, sorrowful, and bereaved.

Some are productive while others seem reckless,

cavalier, and destructive;

some enliven and arouse peace

and others bring pain, discomfort, and trouble,

but all of them are necessary for us

to learn, grow, and evolve as spiritual beings.

Whether we are prepared for our season or not,

the seasons of our life, and seasons of uncertainty,

are going to unfold.

Our journey through life along with its trials,

tribulations, sorrows, and joys

have the same direction, course, or tendencies

as the cycle of the seasons

and rhythms of nature.

All forms of life on earth, including our bodies,

respond rhythmically to the natural cycles

of the sun, moon, and seasons.

Not all seasons are going to be

harmonious and serene.

We must not abhor our season,

but we must embrace it regardless

of how arduous a particular season may be…

the seasons are necessary!

God knows that for the full

and balanced evolution of our character,

the seasons are imperative.

God uses the seasons

to work out His character in us

and bring us to maturity.

Natural rhythms and movements

will flow through as we mature.

Each activity and habit we engage in...

each relationship and each responsibility...

are “moments” that are the beats of life.

All beings have their appointed cycle of seasons

and changes of circumstances or fortune,

just as the sun, wind, and water.

There is an appointed time for every matter in life....

ordered by a powerful, wise, and gracious Providence.

We can look to the trees to sway in time...

with life's rhythm.

In our spiritual seasons,

we will notice changes in every

element of our life.

Every person goes through

natural and spiritual seasons.

Seasons dictate to us how we dress and

what activities we engage in.

Seasons have a lot to do with

our moods and our attitude.

Each season brings with it

its own potential dangers, and beauty.

Seasons affect every aspect of our lives!

Our actions, during each season,

and the timing of our actions

are important to God.

“He has made everything beautiful

in its time”

Ecclesiastes 3:11

Nothing is before or after

its prescribed time.

Life is comprised of various seasons.

God is so orderly that He divided

the year into four quarters

and we know those times as:

Winter, Spring, Summer

and Fall.

God has, perfectly, placed each season in sequence.

Spring is not intrinsically a better season than winter,

nor is summer better than spring.

Each season plays its essential part

in the unfolding of the life cycle.

WINTER is the season with limited sunlight,

the shortest days, and the coldest weather.

Most trees are barren,

and the flowers have withered and died.

Winter is a fallow, quiet time in which

the previous growth comes to an end

and the possibility of new growth is created.

Winter is the time for evolution,

brainstorming, formulating,

and doing the necessary groundwork

for the approaching season.

It is the ultimate transitional period.

The cold of winter can cause us to

retreat within ourselves

for rest, renewal, and creativity.

Unless the creative work of winter is done

and the seeds take root, nothing further can grow.

Spring is the arrival of new life.

Spring brings new leaves and blossoms on the trees.

Spring is the time to break up fallow ground.

It is time to plant and implement the lessons/instructions

extracted from our winter experience.

Spring is also a time of blossoming,

when the fruits of the winter's labor

begin to be realized.

The blossoms will not appear

unless the seeds have been nourished,

and the blossoms in turn make way

for the blooming of flowers.

Summer marks the warmest time of year

with the longest days.

Summer is a time of spiritual development,

fruit bearing, and flowers in full bloom!

Summer is the time to water what has been planted.

It is also time to clear out the weeds.

Summer is the time to pause and reflect.

It is a time to plow up and cultivate the soil.

Fall is a time of maturity, fruition, and reaping.

Fall is the time of harvest.

Fall is the time when you will see evidence

of your hard work.

So too with our

developmental periods.

The sequence of each season follows

God's prescribed course.

The proper activity at the right time,

brings about God’s purposes,

and it is a beautiful rhythmic part

of God’s overall plan.

All of the seasons are necessary for us

to learn, grow, and evolve as spiritual beings.

When facing a difficult time of transition or loss...

may we trust God's perfectly Divine timing.

There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity

under heaven.

Nothing in life is static for long.

Each major transition in our lives has a divine purpose.

Those transitional storms are necessary

to clear the atmosphere of old ways of thinking

that may be keeping us from fully experiencing

the next seasons of our lives.

God has a reason and a season

for all things.

There never seems to be a "Best" time to die,

to go to war, or to cry.

Yet, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 speaks deeply to us because,

while our emotions may not easily adapt to it,

there is a season for all things.

There are certain times appointed by God

for our being and continuance,

which no human wit or providence can alter.

There is a time to be born

and a time to die.

There was a time when none of us existed

and there will be a time when all of us will cease to be.

There is a time to plant

and a time to uproot,

a time to kill

and a time to heal,

a time to tear down

and a time to build,

a time to weep

and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn

and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones

and a time to gather stones,

a time to embrace

and a time to refrain,

a time to search

and a time to give up,

a time to keep

and a time to throw away,

a time to tear

and a time to mend,

a time to be silent

and a time to speak,

a time to love

a time to hate,

a time for war

and a time for peace.

The realities of life surround us all.

And while the "Why" may escape us...

the rhythm of life and death

is as dependable

as the rising and setting of the sun.

Various things in life are certain to happen.

These events are not random

neither are they under human control.

Recognizing the seasons

will help us cope with life's

inevitable difficulties.

May we see the hand of God,

feel the hand of God

and recognize the gift of God

in each season.

With an awareness and appreciation

for the season we are in

we will be able to

step into new spiritual truths

with a greater ability

to flow in the power of God.

God is doing a unique work in us

in each season.

Each season is preparation

for the next season to come,

and each season is a part of

what needs to be accomplished

in our lives.

Staying connected to God

in each season is key.

This allows us to grow and produce,

in due season,

the choicest fruit of righteousness

God desires.

May we live in rhythm

with our current life stage realizing...

no matter how we view the season

we can claim...

Romans 8:28:

"And we know that God causes everything

to work together for the good

of those who love God

and are called according

to God's purpose for them."

God has specific purposes

for each season of our lives.

As we learn to recognize

and embrace the season we are in...

we will better understand

God's purpose for our lives.

May we develop our rhythm with God

so that we may walk victoriously...

into each season.

carolecgood@aol.com

www.carolecgood.com

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