The Seasons We Live

For some, the leaves are changing color. For some, they stay the same. Others have no leaves, just deserts or open sea. This time of year lends to a slower pace, cooler winds, and cloudy skies. It begins the season of reflecting on the year's achievements. Before the harvest reaches winter, this is a great time to pause and think.

Over the past few weeks, I have learned about thinking, reflecting, taking inventory, and stopping. I will try and describe what those mean without writing a book. There's a significant amount of lessons learned and notes taken on these things. And because I strongly believe in pursuing knowledge, regardless of age or life's accomplishments, these are shared with my friends, colleagues, and observers. There have been several times the topic of seasons has come up. The law of sowing and reaping permeates every area of our lives and should not be ignored. The harvest comes from both positive and negative crops. Because of this, I try to pay attention to my words and actions. Sometimes, the facial reactions outweigh the words - an area I still need to work on. Either way, I must be mindful of what I am sowing and the season my life is living in.

The church I attend and volunteer at has a mandate that is seen and spoken everywhere. The only line I've learned from this past month is "People Over Position." It doesn't matter what position you are responsible for; people are more important. The lesson for me is that I know and understand many things in our lives are seasonal. Nothing stays the same because change is constant. Even though I fully grasp this concept, I have noticed that I have held tightly to roles, titles, and areas I feel I'm an expert in. Instead of helping others shine brightly, I've sat on my high throne, polishing my star. Being seen and known was more of a priority than creating community. Being willing to step out of the spotlight to a seemingly lesser role helped me to see others and what they bring to the table. It was enlightening and sobering because I could have quickly shut someone out because of my need to be in control.

Harvest time is a perfect analogy for how we handle seasons. I've shared this before, but it's a great example. Growing up, we had a backyard full of fruit trees. Lemons the size of large apples, naval oranges, figs, kumquats, and satsumas (similar to mandarin oranges). Every winter, my sister and I would look forward to being able to pick fruit and eat. There's nothing like a fresh, ripe satsuma straight from the tree. Unless it's not ripe. Have you ever had fruit that is not quite ripe to eat? It's bitter. It's sour and leaves a bad, lingering taste in your mouth. This is precisely what happens when you leave a season of your life too soon. When you manipulate your way into a promotion, quit a job because you're angry and hurt, or leave a relationship without trying for a resolution. Not only do you become bitter and sour, but you also leave behind the same for others in your circle.

On the other side of harvest is the reaping. Have you ever seen produce still on the tree or vine long after harvest season? It is rotten and not suitable for consumption. And will sometimes kill the tree or vine. I remember being so frustrated when we had to gather all the fruit off the trees before the season ended. There was so much fruit! I complained often, especially as a teenager. Dad would always remind me of the reason. If I wanted a bountiful harvest next year, I needed to finish the harvest and allow the trees to regenerate. This example is related to staying in the season too long. We cannot hold tightly to anything. We must live with open hands. This posture allows others to step in and out of their seasons, where they harvest, reap, and regenerate. And we will do the same. When you try to control and hold on past your season, you become rotten and not good. This will then kill off anything you are connected to, especially relationships.

So, in taking inventory of the root cause of why I want to be seen and known in areas I lead or serve, I've discovered insecurity. A person can be confident, bold, strong, and knowledgeable. But, if they allow insecurities to rule behavior, they will control and hoard. They hoard assignments and relationships. They control access and ideas. Taking regular inventory of what season we live and how we are living is vital to understanding if harvest is beginning, occurring, or ending. It keeps us in the perfect place to avoid becoming bitter, sour, or rotten. Most importantly, it keeps us from killing what we are connected to.

I've reflected, taken inventory, and realized what to stop doing. What now? Probably the hardest and yet simplest things in one word. Forgiveness. I must ask forgiveness for those I've overlooked, tried to control/manipulate, and those I pushed over to keep my role or title. People should become the priority, not the numbers, outcome, or job. I must look beyond the surface to see the gold in someone's life. Then, I must help them polish their star and shine brightly.

I encourage you today to stop, listen, think, and reflect. It's never too late, and there is no shame or condemnation. Let's grow and shine together!

Until next time,

DJ