Word Before World by Gretchen SafflesSample

Unchanging God in Changing Seasons

When my son was in kindergarten, he was delighted when his teacher assigned him the role of class weather watcher. To fulfill his responsibilities, he’d walk over to the window and describe to his classmates what he saw outside. Was the sidewalk wet with rain? Were billowy clouds darkening his view? Was the sun shining brightly? Were small cotton clouds speckling the sky? Ever since his days as weather watcher, he has been fascinated by predictions about what the weather would be like in the days ahead.

I’m just like my son, except I find myself relentlessly watching the weather of my own life, scanning the horizon for what storm might be brewing. I’m eager to know what I should prepare for, what I should bring with me, or whether I should just stay put. Like a traveler packing my bag for a long journey, I want to be prepared for anything that could happen.

When it comes to the seasons of nature, my favorite is springtime, hands down. As a gardener, I anxiously await the first post-frost sunny day in April, when I can crack open the dormant soil and plant my prized zinnia seeds. I wish I could live in perpetual springtime, soaking up the days when the sun goes to bed later and we can use nature’s air-conditioning, leaving all the windows open. But that is not how life unfolds. We enjoy pleasant seasons and endure harsh ones; we bask in the sunshine and take refuge from the rain; we gaze at clear skies and prepare for cloudy days.

The same is true in my walk with God. I wish I could live in a never-ending season of growth and abundance—enjoying the nearness of God, savoring the sweetness of Scripture, squeezing all the joy out of what comes my way. But just as the seasons of nature change, so do the seasons of life. We can’t prepare for every situation we will face or pack for every potential problem. Instead, God calls us to entrust our souls to his tender care (see Proverbs 3:5-6). He sees each crimson leaf that drifts to the ground, each zinnia petal unfolding, each baby bird nestled in a tree. How much more does he see and sustain us?

One thing remains the same in every season—the unchanging character, presence, and provision of God.

In winter seasons, God’s Word warms and comforts our souls (see Psalm 119:50). In spring seasons, God’s Word awakens and prunes our faith (see John 15:1-2). In summer seasons, God’s Word grows and strengthens our endurance (see Psalm 73:26). In autumn seasons, God’s Word produces a harvest for his glory (see John 15:8).⁠

Prioritizing the Word before the world cloaks us against the cold of unbelief, shades us from the heat of unexpected trials, nourishes us in droughts of waiting, and satisfies us when answered prayers bloom and abound. The God of every season gives us eternal shelter to enjoy rest through Christ. Instead of being a weather watcher, on the lookout for what we might walk through next, we can dwell in the sanctuary of God’s never-changing Word, knowing he will always provide us with the sustaining grace we need to not only survive but to thrive in him.