For a Season

 

Suffering 25

 

          Peter’s first epistle dwells on the subject of suffering in depth, not just by specific mention but all through the book. Toward the beginning we find this wonderful text. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations (I Peter 1.6). Peter understood each of us have an all too human tendency to think when we are trudging through the vale of sorrow that it is going to last forever. To allay that natural attitude, he lovingly inserts three little words I could not get past in preparing this series, for a season. They were in heaviness, a word specifically relating to sorrow. They were experiencing this hard-to-bear sorrow for manifold reasons. Peter was assuring them that this sorrowful weight they carried for several different reasons was not going to last forever. It was only for a season.

          Three thoughts flow from this in my mind. First, there are seasons of suffering in the Christian life but they do not last forever. For instance, to the children of Israel born and raised during their Wilderness wanderings this season of suffering composed their entire life – but it did not last forever. To those whose memories stretched back to better days in Egypt, and had seen the hand of the Lord via the plagues and the Red Sea it must have hurt terribly – but it did not last forever. Ye dwelt in the wilderness a long season (Joshua 24.7) but it was only that, a season. It made a tremendous impression on national Israel, and the lessons forged in that crucible of suffering were often referred to by later prophets and preachers, but it did not last forever.

          God will only keep you in the season of suffering as long as He needs you to be there. For a season, if need be. To this Solomon agreed beforehand when he wrote, To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven (Ecclesiastes 3.1). He will not leave you in heaviness one minute longer than is necessary to accomplish His purpose, whether it be your own purification, others’ edification, or His own glory. It will not last forever, only until His purpose is accomplished.

          Second, these seasons of suffering in the Christian life are designed to produce fruit later. Some years ago I read “The Dreamt Land” by Mark Arax. In it, he vividly describes what drought, engineering, and over-use have done to California’s aquifier. In the process, I learned that during drought’s citrus fruit becomes sweeter and vegetables become more flavorful. So it is with suffering.

          Sometimes we cling to the erroneous idea that we are always going to be growing, always going to be seeing results, plucking the fruit, so to speak. This is simply unscriptural. John the Baptist certainly had periods with great fruit and others of dwindling and doubt. It was said of the people in relation to him, ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light (John 5.35). But they only responded to him for a season. And one season is just as ordained of God as another, whether of dwindling or growth.

          Churches go through dry spells. People go through dry spells. Marriages go through dry spells. Fruit bearing in the life of a righteous man is seasonal. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season (Psalm 1.3). If you quit on God during the dry season, if the heat on your back, the sweat on your brow, and the grit on your parched tongue causes you to throw in the towel you never will reach the bringeth-forth-fruit season. And let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not (Galatians 6.9).

          Philemon understood this. A godly Christian, he experienced grief at the hands of his servant, Onesimus, who stole from him and ran off to Rome. Later, after Onesimus had been brought to Christ by Paul’s intervention the latter told Philemon, For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever (Philemon 1.15). Beloved, perhaps your son or daughter has departed for a season that you might receive them forever. The season of loss and grief is oft a necessary prequel to the season of reaping. Faint not.

          Third, we are called to be consistently Christian in all seasons.

It has been my deep privilege and solemn responsibility to shepherd a flock of God’s children for the last 1,335 weeks. Some of those Sundays I have rejoiced to see fruit. Others have been like walking over broken glass. But in all of them, I was required to be faithful. Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season (II Timothy 4.2). The Apostle Paul would understand what I feel completely here. He told the Ephesian pastors, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, Serving the Lord with… many tears, and temptations (Acts 20.18-19).

          Many reading this will be experiencing a season of suffering. What you are going through is not an excuse to exit stage right into a subpar Christian life. In fact, what you have is an opportunity to glorify God, edify other believers, and bring the lost to him. You have been handed an opportunity not an excuse.

While meditating on this text some years ago, the Lord moved me my heart. Putting pen to paper, I wrote the following words.

For a Season

 

I wept as I walked down the road;

A paperboy trudging through rain.

My heart was hurt 'neath the load,

But I didn't see then the pain

...was only 'for a season.'

 

I wept as I walked down the road;

A steelworker stumbling through snow.

The bleak ice of winter's abode

A mirror of my cry of woe

...but 'twas only 'for a season.'

 

I wept as I stood by the crib

In that lonely hospital room.

Her heart fluttered 'neath the rib,

And close by death whispered doom

...but 'tis only 'for a season.'

 

I wept sitting there in my car

When I came to your house to pray.

I know a bit 'bout the scar

On your heart, so I gently say

...it is only 'for a season.'

 

O my people, I lovingly plead

For your patience and faith in the Lord.

You suffer heartaches indeed.

Take the comfort this thought does afford

...'twill be only 'for a season.'

 

I promise your sorrow will end;

A smile will return to your face.

The tear in your heart He will mend;

The wound with joy He'll replace

...because this is only 'for a season.'

 

And someday we'll all gather 'round

The Throne in eternity's day.

This suffering life we'll lay down;

The tears all wiped away

...and it won't just be 'for a season.'