The Purpose in Every Season: Trusting God When You Don’t Understand

"To everything there is a season, A time for every PURPOSE under heaven…”

Ecclesiastes 3:1

Seasons are for different areas of our lives: personal growth, spiritual life, education, work, ministry, family, relationships, and goals.

You may not see the reason now, but every season carries God’s design

Appointed Times

Seasons are ‘appointed times’ and each one has a purpose.

"A time to be born, And a time to die;

A time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted;" Ecclesiastes 3:2

There is a time when we start new things or they begin and are birthed, but that season doesn't stay the same.

There are seasons where things come to an end. We plant in a season and have to wait for a harvest. Here, the word is “pluck’ or uproot. There are seasons when what has been growing is removed.

Maybe there is no harvest at all?

Either way, we know each season is an appointed time, and each has a purpose.

Understanding Purpose

The word ‘purpose’ here also means desire. We have plenty of desires and wants for each season, but they aren't always aligned with God's will.

The truth of this verse is that there is security in knowing WHO holds the times and seasons. Even if we don't understand their full purpose or have different desires for the outcomes.

We can submit and surrender to God's desire for the season or fight and struggle for our own purposes. We usually want to know what the purpose is and why????

Sometimes, that isn't revealed!

I think the first response of surrender may be harder, but it is better!

🌿 Reflection Questions

What season of life do you find yourself in right now: a time of growth, waiting, pruning, or rest?

How do you usually respond when you can’t understand God’s purpose in your circumstances?

Can you recall a past season that only made sense in hindsight? What did you learn about God’s timing through it?