The writer of Ecclesiastes declares, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven” (Ecc. 3:1) The writer then lists some of life’s experiences which fall into seasonal categories. For example: life and death, healing; weeping and laughing, mourning, and dancing. The writer also wisely includes a time to keep silent.

The writer sees the various moments of our lives as seasons, of change, of pains, of possibilities. I find the seasonal imagery to be helpful in navigating some of life’s more perplexing moments. To navigate the various seasons of life one must have faith in the One who controls those seasons. It sounds simple however it is anything but simple.

I am the complicating factor. I want to profess faith in God to direct my life and guide my decisions, but more often than not, I refuse to get out of the way and let God be God.

As we move through life’s seasons the word that comes to mind is discernment. Discernment is the ability to judge well. In Christian context discernment ultimately depends on the Holy Spirit. It is possible to believe that we are moving in the direction the Holy Spirit is leading, only to discover that we have traveled a path other than the one God intended. Regardless of our failure in judgement God can still use us where we are. This has been a recent experience. As I have written before, “It Feels Like Failure” I traveled a path that seemed to be God-led but was a short season, producing little fruit. Nonetheless it was a season in God’s time which was important for spiritual growth and maturity. God does not waste the seasons of our lives.

It is at present a quiet season. God is still and I am waiting. In the quiet season, I am trying to be patient and wait. I cry out to Lord, “Here am I send me,” but God has no apparent need to accept my offer. So, in the quiet season I am left to wait. To wait, to wonder, to pray, to hope, to just be still.

I take comfort in the words of Isaiah, “those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).

It’s okay. This is meant to be the quiet season.