While visiting a church shortly after moving to South Florida, one member bemoaned the fact that we were having yet “another beautiful day” weather-wise. Apparently monotonous sunshine disagreed with him. Or maybe he longed for snow!
We lived in Florida a number of years before moving to Colorado. Among the many differences between the two states, the biggest is the climate. There’s something invigorating and inspiring about the coming of a new season in Colorado. It signals changes in vegetation, temperature, precipitation, the length of day and night.
Each season has its pros and cons. But each also has a purpose. In a broader sense, Ecclesiastes 3:1 points out, To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven (NKJV). King Solomon goes on to list a number of diverse activities that each have an appropriate time, such as planting or harvesting, tearing down or building up, keeping or casting away, speaking or being silent. Similarly, God has provided a way for us to recognize the appropriate word or action for a given time.
When we rely solely on human analysis we’re sure to miss the mark. Jesus pointed this out to the smug, legalistic Pharisees and Sadducees who thought they knew the when and how of everything. In Matthew 16:2-3 Jesus chastised them: “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times?” In contrast to their lack of discernment, Jesus relied on the Holy Spirit to reveal what He needed to know. He only said and did what He heard the Father saying or saw the Father doing.
To empower our navigation in life, Jesus promised to send us that same Spirit. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you (John 14:26). He knew we, too, needed the Holy Spirit’s daily guidance. With that same Spirit in us now we have access to a perfect spiritual GPS system 24/7. He always knows when to speak, what to say, where to go, and what needs to happen next. Our only job is to pay attention!
And the Bible depicts multiple ways to pay attention:
- Use your ears to be attentive to wisdom (Proverbs 2:1-5).
- Heed the Shepherd’s voice (John 10:27-28).
- Read His Word and let it light your path (Romans 10:17, Psalm 119:105).
- Acknowledge Him in all your ways (Proverbs 3:5-6).
- Be still and wait patiently (Psalm 37:7-9).
- Seek first the kingdom (Matthew 6:33).
- Pray and listen (Philippians 4:6).
Whether God speaks to us through dreams, Bible verses, other believers, or His Word, if we pay attention we can know how to speak and act according to the season.
