2月2日

標 題：生命的四季

經 節：凡事都有定期，天下萬務都有定時。（傳道書三章1節）

四季雖然各有其特色，但整個四季卻帶來了活潑的生氣──這是神所設計的四季最美之處。春天是一段清新與新生命的時期；夏天是成長與多產的季節；秋天是收割過去勞苦收成的時刻；冬天是冬眠與終結的時節。每個季節都有它獨特之美，每個季節對生命都有其重要的貢獻。誠如神設計大自然的四季，祂也為人類設計了生命的四季。春天的生命是開始一份新的工作，並且興奮地期待未來的時刻。夏天是我們冒著白天的暑氣，辛勤耕耘做神所指定的工。秋天來臨，是收割早期人生成就的時刻。冬天則為人生某段特別的時刻，譜下休止符。冬天有時會帶來苦難，但我們仍舊懷抱希望，因為另一個春天正在轉角等著呢！神對我們有完美生命的計畫。祂設計結實累累、充滿生氣的時期，也設立安靜、休憩的時期。祂有時會要求我們日復一日，忠實地做同一件事情。然而，我們有時也會興奮地著手展開新的事務。我們因著神的恩典，能享受自己辛勤勞苦的果實；也因著神的恩典，能克服痛心疾首的寒冷冬季。沒有冬季就沒有春季的到來。正如同大自然的四季，生命的四季為我們每一個人帶來神完美的旨意。

Life’s Seasons

To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven. (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

The beauty in the way God designed the four seasons is that, though each one is distinct, they all work together to bring life and growth. Spring is a period of freshness and new life. Summer sees growth and productivity. Autumn is a time for harvesting the rewards of past labors. Winter is the season of dormancy and closure. Each season has its own unique beauty and makes a significant contribution to life.

Just as God planned seasons in nature, He planned seasons in life as well. Life has its springtime, when we begin new things and look excitedly toward the future. Summer comes and we work diligently in the heat of the day at all that God has assigned to us. With autumn comes the fruition of things begun at an earlier time in our lives. Winter brings an end to a particular period in our lives. Sometimes winter brings hardship, but we remain hopeful, for another spring is just around the corner!

In God’s perfect design for our lives, He has planned for times of fruitfulness and activity. He will also build in times of quiet and rest. There will be times when He asks us to remain faithful doing the same work day after day. But there will also be periods of excitement and new beginnings. By God’s grace, we will enjoy seasons of harvesting the fruit of our faithfulness. By God’s grace we will also overcome the cold winters of heartache and grief, for without winter there would be no spring. Just as it is with the seasons of nature, these seasons in our lives work together to bring about God’s perfect will for each one of us.