Seasons

Posted on September 18, 2010 by petetackett

I was walking while it was still dark this morning and thinking when my AADDD (Adult Attention Deficit Disorder Deliberately) kicked in. Here is the series of thoughts that went through my mind in the next 20 seconds:

I missed the summer season this year (Lori and I were in Africa below the equator where it was winter for the past two months.)
I like summer.
I like all the seasons.
God must have liked seasons because he talked about them.

What I really like is the change of seasons, when summer turns to fall, winter turns to spring, etc.

Sunrise over the Masai Mara

I’ve been in a change of season in my life lately. One year ago, coming off of depression, failure, resignation, and insomnia, I did not see how I could ever face life again, much less return to full time ministry. As I write this, I have just returned from two fruitful months in Malawi and Kenya and I am sitting in a hotel room in Florence, Alabama, preparing to speak to a church leadership team for the weekend.

It didn’t happen easily and the decision to reenter public ministry was not made lightly, but here I am. The difficult months from January, 2009-July, 2010, seem like a dream at times, but the lessons learned in that season and in the change of seasons are lessons I never want to forget. (If you want to know more about my journey, visit my site at http://www.petetackett.com.) Without getting too wordy, let me just mention some things I have learned or re-learned about seasons that may be encouraging to you.

1. Seasons are just that – they are seasonal. This too shall pass. Sometimes, surviving is more important than succeeding. “There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
2. Seasons are ultimately controlled by a loving God who has good plans for me. No, I do not believe that God orchestrates bad events in our lives. Truthfully, we are broken, sinful people living in a broken and sinful world and the result of that is always going to be brokenness. Yet, God takes those horrible times and events in our lives and if we allow Him, uses them to shape and mold us for new and expanded usefulness in the next season. The wisest man who ever lived said, “He (God) has made everything beautiful in its time.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

Lori and I at Sarova Mara in Kenya

3. Some seasons are designed to remind us of the things we already know and to remind us of the things that are important. Two of those reminders to me have been most significant. First, the grace and mercy of God is bigger than I knew and His mercies really are new every morning. Second, there is nothing in this world, NOTHING, more important than my family and friends. As I enter this new season, I am most grateful for the love and devotion of Lori, Sarah, and Jonathan. If I had never preached again, to be loved by God and those three wonderful people would be enough.

I do love the change of seasons and I am grateful for the opportunities God is giving me in this next season, but may I be honest with you? As hard as it has been, I would not forgo the embarassment, frustration, and pain of the past 16 months if it meant I also had to miss the lessons that led to some very positive changes in my life and ministry. I suppose, I am even grateful for the season that was because it gives greater meaning to this change of season and the hope of the new season.

What are some lessons you have learned about seasons of life?