By Donald G. Brewington, University Chaplain, Huston-Tillotson University

As I sit here this early morning, listening for the voice of God as the moon in its fullness radiates brilliantly and brightly through my window, even with the blinds closed, I fully understand that this is a good season. In fact, every season is a good season.

There are various ways to note seasons, most commonly are the seasons as marked by the calendar designating the seasons of the year. There are the seasons of our lives designating the various stages we find ourselves in as we deal with the situations, circumstances, and conditions we experience. Then there are the stages of life, the cycle that takes us from birth to the grave, and only God determines the length of life and how long each of our seasons will be.

I contend that when we realize like the writer James, as he pens in his first chapter that “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created”, then we understand that we are a special people, created by God for a purpose. We are here to impact those with whom we come in contact within a positive way – to be change agents in the world, even if it’s just a small corner of it. To know that our talents, gifts, and graces are being used to make a difference, regardless of our circumstance, makes any season a good one.

The Teacher, the writer of Ecclesiastes informs us that “there is a season and a time to every purpose under the sun”, he lets us know that there are seasons that we will face, seasons which may include death, weeping or joy.  These are normal in the human life cycle and should be expected. While the joys of life are easy to embrace, we must learn to embrace those challenging times and discover that weird kind of joy that will not allow those changing circumstances to alter our faith – understanding that we are a special people, gifted by God for a purpose.

I’m learning that seasons are made good as we open ourselves to those around us and allow others into our world and not to just glimpse it, but to experience it with us. Seasons are made good when we engage by doing good for those who are struggling just to get by, those who are voiceless, who lack the resources to do for themselves. Seasons are made good when we can put a smile on a child’s face, see the joy in the heart of a seasoned citizen, making them feel valuable by showing them love. Seasons are made good when you are blessed to experience the gratitude of a young parent or a teenager as you walk with them through a crisis.

Seasons are made better and are good when we take the time and reflect on the goodness of our Creator God, when we perhaps get up before the dawning of the day to meditate and witness His face shining through our window reflecting the light of a radiant moon. We realize the goodness of a season when in reflection

we understand that our situation or circumstance is not that bad – that when I get out of my own feelings, I understand that God was simply refining me and making me a better person enabling me to reflect Him in the world. The goodness of a season is realized when we recognize that God really loves me and it is mine to share that love with others, and you can do that in any season!

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal……. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love”. Live into and enjoy your Season!