It is said of the men of Issachar that they; ‘understood the times and knew what the best course Israel should take’ -1 Chronicles 12:32
In understanding the times and seasons, we recognize that the earth is organized into four dominant seasons; Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn. So what might it look like to organize our work and rhythms of life around these seasons?
Winter
The season grows darker and colder. Some animals hibernate in the winter. Rather than being a season of lots of outward activity – I find it to be a great time of reflection, seeking God and planning.
During this time of the year I practice ‘Back to the Future;’ actively looking back in order to then move forward…
That means, for me, December is a time to reflect.
I do this by going through my journals (I typically write between 10-15 journals a year). As I re-read each journal going through them month by month, I list the main stand out features of each month. (To see more on the habit of journaling, CLICK HERE!)
Then January is usually a time of prayer and fasting. We often do this corporately at the beginning of the year. Sometimes this involves a 40-day fast, but more often it has been a 21 Day Daniel Fast. It’s good to begin by seeking the Lord afresh and hearing His direction for the year ahead. We hear as individuals and collectively; for our personal life and for our life together as communities-on-a-mission.
I think about the correlation between ploughing and prayer in this season – we are to break up the fallow ground in preparation for sowing in the next season
February, as a result, becomes a time of planning with teams based on the evaluation of the previous year that was carried out in December and the prophetic direction received through prayer in January.
How are you taking time to withdraw and reflect during this season?
Spring
Spring is a time when, after the frozen period, new life begins to sprout.
March is also the time when ‘kings go to war’ -2 Samuel 11:1
It’s when we ‘spring into action’ so to speak. We start to sow the seeds and act on the plans drawn up in the winter months.
Spring is also the season of Passover and Easter – the time when the seed goes down in the earth, dies, is buried and then springs to new life.
For us that often means beginning to sow the seed of the gospel of the kingdom into the soil of the people and places God revealed to us during the ploughing season
What seeds are you planting in this season?
Summer
The sowing begins in spring – but the work accelerates during the summer when it is time to water what has been sown in the previous season!
As proverbs wisely instructs us;
‘Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and become wise! Though they have no prince or governor or ruler to make them work, they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter.’ -Proverbs 6:10-11
Wise people learn to work hard all summer.
Summer is the time of Pentecost. The time of first fruits, where 3000 men were baptized and added to the church in one day. On many council estates across the UK, it is the time the streets most come alive with children and young people who have nothing much to do.
How are you going about working hard during this season?
Autumn
Autumn is the time for in-gathering. The summer has passed, and the harvest season has begun. It’s time to receive the fruits of our labour. We celebrate with Harvest Festivals, Thanksgiving and perhaps more importantly, the Feast of Tabernacles.
This is a great time of the year to gather in many different ways. Gather those who have been won to Christ during the spring and summer seasons. Step up the process of making disciples and developing leaders in community.
In the UK there are various ways people tend to gather during this season, such as through Halloween Parties and Bonfire Night.
How are you intending to gather people and celebrate during this season?
Moving Forward
Do you follow any rhythms of life?
Do you flow with the changing seasons?
If you’ve enjoyed this article, you may also enjoy ‘The Compass’
