The cyclical nature of God’s leadership over the earth…

It is winter in Kansas City, yet we are on the cusp of spring. It is an awkward place to be, in the scheme of things. Between two worlds lies both death and life. Winter’s cold grip still fights, to ensure that the appropriate amount of decay is allowed to permeate the ground. Why? In order to give life, in order, that when the season does fully transition and spring is allowed to have its way on the earth for a time, that there are enough nutrients and minerals from what was and is now passed, to bring life fully into bloom and to restore balance again by recreating and re-establishing what should be.

I was driving through the woods the other day, looking at the dead of all that was lying around, still under winters spell. I wondered to myself about the inevitable nature of nature. And of course my thoughts brought me into fellowship with  the creator. God, why do you allow death and life to coexist? Why is death so necessary to life? “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone. But if it dies, it bears much fruit” (John 12:24).

I began to think about the four seasons and their respective places in the universe, why they are the way they are, what they were created for, what they do in regards to their nature and evidences, and I found myself putting together a theory about the four seasons, categorizing them together with the due process of God’s leadership and guidance to bring forth the end, in order for new life to emerge. Behold, He makes all things new.

For those of you who read this blog spot at all will know that it’s main purpose and content is the end of all things, God’s summation and climax to this present age, so it is not surprising that I was led to stipulate about the 4 seasons in context to the culmination of the present history of the earth. It makes perfect sense to me that God would allow 4 seasons to keep life moving forward. A brief overview of the 4 seasons at this point seems necessary.

Spring is generally what we would consider the beginning of the year, for it once again establishes the strength of new life and gives life room and the necessities for it to flourish; rain, sun, minerals, warmth etc etc. Summer comes next, and with it, generally heat, soft winds form the south, long hours of light, a spirit of relaxation and rest and enjoyment. It too is necessary in it’s season for without its effects we would be in want for the time of rest it chiefly provides from the harshness of winter and of springs animation. Then comes the time for fall. It is a buffer where heat becomes mild cold. Fresh air comes from the graciousness of the leaves giving their last reserves of oxygen for the year. It is also a time of warning that winter comes soon, yet it is a gentle warning for it is enjoyable still. The hours get shorter and it gets darker but depending on your location on the globe you may see some of the most beautiful colors the world has to proudly exude. Then it comes, the cold fronts, the harsh wind and freezing rain. Snow while in its beauty, concealing a plan to blanket and cover all life and to suffocate so that death may enter on all life and allow life’s nutrients to be pulled down once again, falls into the earth for fertilization and for later use when spring will surely and faithfully come again. Winter makes its appearance.

I began to think of God’s perfect leadership in giving the seasons for their times and purposes. And I found similarities between the 4 seasons and His leading of human history. I equate them similarly. Creation’s account in Genesis, the beginning, is likened to Spring. God made life and all it entails and allowed it to flourish. Like spring, there came forth the patriarchs and matriarchs of Judeo-Christian life, the promise of something new. Covenants of life were made and promises established by God, much like the first buddings of Spring that show us life is coming, in full force. The time of Israel’s inheriting these promises through the judges and establishing the kingdom and the kingship is likened unto summer where life is now established and enjoyed by long hours, winds of relaxation, and abundance of crops. Summer is the time where much happens though not hurriedly, and when much is established that will be needed for the next season. Fall is  likened to Christ’s first coming. a time of beauty though the days grow shorter and death sets in. The Crucifixion portrays the transition of Israel’s blessed summer to the cold realities of a winter like response in abandoning the source of life, the Dayspring. This season allows death to set in and yet not fully for in the beginning of the Christian faith there was much life being given, much like the leaves of fall breathing out their reserves for the betterment of the surrounding atmosphere. and finally winter, likened unto the end of days as the contents of the Apocolypse set in. Death on every side. As wickedness abounds in the time of this wintry stage, so does murder, theft, idolatry, and all sorts of systemic evils. It carries with it an end of life, a permeance of cold, dark, and futility. But alas, we know for certain that spring will come again, in it’s time. There is coming a day to end all days and all seasons. Behold, He will make all things new as He comes with the clouds of Heaven. Jesus will put an end to winter’s cold and forever establish a new season previously unknown to mankind, a day of righteousness and bright light where life will flourish again, without ever again the cruel prospect of death’s decay setting in.

And so, we watch and pray. We struggle through the seasons of life, knowing that one day, life will forever abound in grace and glory and the Lord himself will be our light forever. Trees will give fruit for life and for healing of the nations intead of the mere oxygen of life and healing as they were for so long accustomed. We long for this day, with all our desire in the waiting. And we hope, for His promise is sure, as sure as the seasons come now. Yes, we can discern the sky and weather and much more, we can discern the times and the seasons, knowing that He that started it all will be faithful as the sun to complete it.