Seasons

One of the many reasons I love living in Minnesota is our seasons. Contrary to popular misconceptions, we have four seasons. Some people joke that we only have two seasons: winter and road construction!

We have four distinct seasons here in Minnesota. Each has its own qualities, good and not so good.

Life and leadership has its seasons, too. As leaders, there are different kinds of seasons of our lives. Understanding them and what God is accomplishing in them is vital to becoming the leader He wants us to become. Let’s look at some of those different kinds of seasons:

Seasons of Nature

Spring: awakening, increasing light, emerging beauty…a time of seeding.

Summer: heat, lots of light, rapid growth, expansive beauty….a time of weeding.

Fall: cooling, expressive beauty, maturing, harvest…a time of reaping.

Winter: cold, more darkness, inert beauty, pruning…a time of sleeping.

If you were to use nature’s seasons to describe your life right now, what season are you in?

Seasons by Length

Our seasons of leadership can also be identified by how long they last. Shirley and I have been in vocational ministry for 39 years. So far we’ve had distinct ten year seasons. I’ve learned how God works with me and in me inside each of those ten year periods. Understanding that pattern has made a huge difference.

Some leaders are made for shorter seasons of 1 to 3 years. Often they are “starters” or “specialists” who work best for focused, intense, concise seasons. Then they are on to another opportunity that needs someone like them.

Some leaders are made for longer periods of time—five, seven, ten years or longer. They are often good “developers” who come into an existing situation, working patiently and persistently as they balance people and tasks in the process.

Some leaders are “lifers”. They have the ability to stay in one place for a long time…even a lifetime of ministry. They love the joy of long term relationships. They are willing to invest in one place through all the seasons and generations of the families and community they serve. Their influence is local, deep and long.

In our Fit & Flourish Personal Journal/Group Study Edition, you’ll find two more ways to look at your seasons.

Look at your journey thus far. What can you discern about your seasons? Process with someone you know well and get their insights. As you learn how the Lord works in you, for you, on you, and through you in your seasons you’ll be able to walk with Him with greater joy, peace, and fruitfulness.

Coach Yourself Forward

1. What are the seasons like where you live? What’s your favorite season of the year? Why?

2. Using nature as your example, what season are you in right now? What words would you use to describe it? What are you learning in this season?

3. Looking at your seasons by length, what patterns are you seeing? How do you see the Lord working with you during those seasons?

**If you’d like to continue exploring seasons of life and leadership, and want to do it with a group of close friends or your small group from church, you can purchase a case of 10 copies of Fit & Flourish: Personal Journal/Group Study Edition here.

Photo by Chris Lawton on Unsplash