Optimal Time
To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.
(Ecclesiastes 3:1, NKJV)
We all experience life in terms of seasons, starting with day and night, sun and moon. Thankfully, these are predictable and we are all able to organize our times and lives in line with them. To those who observe the seasons changing, especially in regions where there are clear winter, summer, spring and autumn seasons, there is beauty in each season which we witness as unique to the season. The change in season is refreshing as we anticipate the activities and the benefits of its newness. Plants also recognize seasons and respond accordingly. Nature beautifully displays the seasons change but unfortunately, many of us fail to recognize the seasons of life that we live through. We are always in a given season of our lives, and how we interact with our present season determines how prepared we are for the next season of life. This suggests that to experience right benefits of the seasons change, we need to do what befits a season at its time, taking advantage of what it offers before the next change.
Beloved, as I look at year 2023, I am awakened to the fact that the year is ending soon and at times I wonder what happened to the last 11 months. I know that I am not alone in this. I am then reminded to pray that I may learn to number my days so that I may utilize them with wisdom (Psalm 90:12). This raises an urgency to do what needs doing, the circumstances may not look perfect but that does not mean that we stop engaging in what we know we should. We are living in unprecedented times and we seem to be learning on the go, still we need to be moving forward in the season. Waiting for the perfect moment will mean waiting forever, for ‘perfect’ does not exist in our world, there will always be hurdles to overcome, so my brother stop waiting and move with the season.
Let us look at the story of Isaac who settled in the land of Gerar, among the Philistines and he was careful to mind his own business (Genesis 26). The land suffered drought and to any farmer, it was clear that this was not right for planting. Despite this situation, Isaac took a bold step of faith and sowed in the land. It is recorded that he reaped a hundredfold as God blessed him and made him so rich that the Philistine King Abimelech, asked him to leave (Genesis 26:12-16). This is one story in the bible that could well apply to our day. Isaac sowed in a land when everything else said it was not right but he believed God who blessed him in a mighty way. Beloved, step out and do what needs doing. The world economy is challenging but that does not mean that we limit ourselves to what others say, Isaac would not have planted if he listened to his neighbours. He stood apart and realized that he had backup on his side and with this knowledge, he did what others were not doing, he planted expecting a harvest and yes, he got a hundredfold harvest.
Brethren, remember who you are, the bible says you will declare a thing and it will be established, it also says that when there is a casting down there is a lifting up for those who trust in the Lord, this is by Job and he is one we know who understood what being down means (Job 22:28-29). My brothers and sisters, you could be like Isaac away from home or still be at home but the environment is not what you would consider conducive whether physically, mentally, emotionally or in any other way, but do not let this limit you. We are sons of God and just like Isaac, we are children of promise (Galatians 4:28), we therefore can step forward with courage and faith in our Father, to multiply our harvest in seemingly difficult times. With the revelation of who we are, we boldly step into the spaces that others will not, and so end up with the results that speak of the greatness of our Father. Step out beloved, it is your optimal time to flourish.
Thoughts:
What season are you experiencing?
How are you engaging with the season?
What could be holding you back and how will you overcome it?