Embracing the Seasons of Life and Ministry
Throughout my three-plus decades of ministry, I have seen my fair share of seasons. I could tell you some stories, but I’ll spare you. Let’s just say there have been some incredible highs and some difficult lows. There have been seasons of abundant joy and seasons of real sorrow. I’ve experienced times of tremendous growth and times of painful pruning. Some seasons have been rich with fruit, while others have felt dry and unproductive.
I imagine you can relate. Maybe you haven’t been in ministry for thirty years like I have (or maybe you haven’t even been on this earth for thirty years), but you know what it’s like to walk through different seasons. Life has a way of reminding us that change is constant, and whether we like it or not, we are always moving from one season into another.
One of the things I love about this particular season, both on the calendar and in the church, is that it always brings the opportunity for something new. Spring itself is a beautiful and energizing time in nature. New shoots emerge, fresh blooms unfold, and the earth comes alive again. The landscape transforms, bursting with color and renewed life. There’s something refreshing about seeing the world wake up from the dormancy of winter.
And then there’s Easter. The celebration of Jesus’ resurrection is the ultimate reminder that new life is possible. That no matter how dark or hopeless things may seem, God is always at work, bringing redemption and renewal. Easter tells us that things won’t always stay the same and that God can take what looks lifeless and bring something vibrant and new out of it. Even when we find ourselves stuck in the shadows, unable to see a way forward, God is there. He has conquered sin and death, and through our relationship with Him, we are invited into a life of transformation.
Just as we experience seasons in nature and in our personal lives, we also go through seasons in ministry. Maybe you’re serving on staff at a church, or maybe you’re volunteering in some capacity. Perhaps you’re in a season where things are flourishing, and you’re seeing fruit, momentum, and impact. Or maybe you’re in a season of struggle, where ministry feels difficult, progress seems slow, and you’re wondering if anything is really making a difference.
Take a moment to reflect on the ministry God has called you to in this season. Not just the season you personally are in but the season your ministry is experiencing.
- Is it a season of growth and excitement? If so, what are the key factors contributing to that? How can you nurture and sustain the good work that’s happening?
- Is it a season of challenge and hardship? If so, what might need to shift? What aspects of the ministry need renewed vision, fresh leadership, or a different approach?
- Is there a part of your ministry that feels stagnant? Are there things that need to be pruned away in order to make space for something new?
These aren’t always easy questions to ask, but they are necessary. Sometimes, we must be willing to let go of old ways of doing things in order to make room for what God wants to do next. That process can be difficult, even painful, but it’s often the pathway to renewal.
Pastor S. M. Lockridge once preached a powerful sermon that included this well-known phrase: “It’s Friday, but Sunday’s coming.”
If you’ve never heard it before, I encourage you to look it up and listen. It’s a profound reminder that even when we are in the darkest moments when it feels like all hope is lost, new life is just around the corner. The resurrection of Jesus is proof that what seems dead and defeated is never the end of the story when God is involved.
No matter what season of life or ministry you find yourself in right now, know this: new life is always available through Jesus. Not just at Easter but every single day. He has come to forgive, redeem, and restore us. And because of that, we can walk forward with confidence, knowing that God is always at work, bringing beauty from ashes and turning sorrow into joy.
So, whatever season you are in, hold on to the truth that Sunday is coming. And with it, the promise of resurrection, renewal, and hope.
