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Have you ever had things turn to mud in your hands? Or felt bombarded from every corner? And wondered what the heck you were doing wrong. It’s not ‘just you’ – many feel the turmoil in their spirit between seasons. If you’re feeling nervous and uncertain about what is to come, stressed and exhausted, and a lack of peace prevails, the chances are that you have not discerned what time and season you are in or moving into.

We are not meant to work continuously without interruption, nor be in perpetual rest. Our life has divinely appointed times and seasons. ‘Times’ are appointed moments, happenings, and periods within seasons. ‘Seasons’ are the overall nature and direction of a phase in our life. The ability to discern them comes with spiritual maturity and surrendering our calendar to God’s timing.

Jesus rebuked the Pharisees and Sadducees for their lack of discernment. “You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times” (Matthew 16:3).

We are called to walk with the Lord in ceaseless interaction and allow His wisdom to override our feelings, our timeline, our instructions, and even over what we know ‘works’ from our history with God. When we are aligned with God’s timing, purpose, and assignments, we live in freedom, we live in the “unforced rhythms of grace”.

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message)

Note Jesus invites us to learn. This is active participation in what the Lord is doing. When we are aligned with the divinely appointed times and seasons in our lives, God’s enabling power living within us is unforced. Grace – God’s empowering presence – is given to us all (Eph 4:7), however, we are required to “keep company” with Jesus and “learn to live freely”.

Sound good?

So how do we do this? How do we discern what season we are in?

Firstly, it is good to know that all the sectors of our life are not necessarily in the same season at the same time. The different areas of our life – love/marriage/family, ministry, friends/community relationships, physical/mental health, finances, personal expression/self-development, spirituality, and career/work/business – can be in different seasons simultaneously.

As we understand the attributes of the seasons, we consider each sector of our life and the signs that point to their current season.

You can only walk in what you’re called to from where you are. When you know where you are and understand your current season, a lot of questioning, indecision, and anxiety disappears. Remember that through any uncertainty, the Holy Spirit will guide you into all truth for every season, you trust the One who directs your path (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Your race, your pace. You have the grace to run your race at your pace.

Imagine the frustration and futility of trying to coax new growth in the middle of winter, or harvest fruit from seedlings, or raise tomatoes from pumpkin seeds! Your path, your race, your position is unique to you. You will quiet disappointment, fear, and worry when you avoid comparing your race with someone else’s, and when you’re not trying to position yourself in other places or on other timelines.

When you recognize your current seasons and assignments, you live aligned with God’s timing and power and will find yourself in the slipstream of living freely and lightly.

When you live freely and lightly, your prophetic gift flows effortlessly.

The Seasons

Summer is the season of work and productivity; winter is the season of rest and renewal. Spring and autumn/fall are transitional seasons of sowing and reaping and this transition should not be confused with life’s ‘fifth season’: Transition.

SPRING

Spring is filled with new opportunities, renewal, and fresh beginnings. It is a time of thinking, planning ahead and planting seeds for future projects. It’s a season of new birth and new growth, it’s the time to tend to the young.

In this season you:-

Sow new seeds – start a community group, learn new things, look for opportunities.

Nurture ideas – seek advice from veterans, attend workshops, make new friends.

Engage in renewal – dedicate time to your spiritual life and personal development.

Embrace new beginnings – don’t be shy, be bold, embrace courage.

Welcome fresh creativity – engage with nature, discover new materials, be open to ideas.

Stay present to what God is saying – gather today’s fresh manna.

SUMMER

Summer is a time of peak growth, richness, performance, and the busyness of life. It is a time of expansion. Summer represents fertility and abundance. Nurture what has been planted. Weeds grow with the seeds, remember to attend to weeding to ensure growth is not choked. It is a time to enjoy fruitfulness and maintain steady progress towards your goals. Summer is the peak of your capacity.

In this season you:-

Work consistently – create schedules that prioritise your achievements.

Nurture growth – Invest in personal and professional development.

Stay steady – maintain a healthy balance between activity and relaxation.

Embrace constructiveness and accountability – be diligent.

Celebrate progress – include others, be generous.

Equip others – share knowledge and wisdom, and prepare for the future.

AUTUMN/ FALL

The harvest season is the climax of growth. It represents maturity. Workers gather to pick and process the crops. It is a time of transition and change. Harvest symbolises Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection: the cutting down and transformation into provision and blessing for others. The harvest is a time of reaping the rewards of labour, expressing gratitude, and preparing for the future. The falling leaves and changing colours symbolise letting go of old habits and mindsets.

In this season you:-

Use your tools – ensure the workers are equipped with what they need.

Embrace change – harvest is the cycle of regeneration.

Celebrate milestones – harvest is a time of fulfilment.

Express gratitude – to God and people who support you.

Reflect – evaluate what worked well and what didn’t.

Plan for future growth – ask the Holy Spirit for new strategies.

WINTER

Winter is a season of slowing down, retreat, rest, and reflection. Rest is not snoozing on the couch, it’s a deliberate ‘unplug’ from the world and ‘plug’ into throne room until all the settings are realigned. It’s a time to focus on selfcare, closure, recovery, recuperation, and internal healing. It can be a time of hiddenness – of hidden growth and internal transformation – where people can’t ‘see’ you and you may wonder where God is for you. It is hibernation. Recognise winter is the end of a cycle and make space for new beginnings.

In this season you:-

Rest in God’s presence – trust the timing.

Focus on self-care – it is not selfish to prioritise your essential needs.

Engage in reflection and renewal – embrace what works and let go of what doesn’t.

Embrace hiddenness – rest knowing that this is God’s protection and perfect timing at work.

Prepare for future activities – start learning new skills for your upcoming assignment.

Hold on to promises – listen to testimonies of God’s faithfulness and renew trust.

TRANSITION SEASON

Transition is a time of transformation. Like the pupa stage in caterpillar to butterfly, transformation runs deeper than change, as there’s no ‘changing back’. It is extremely uncomfortable!

The last part of active labour in childbirth is called transition. It can be severe and painful. Contractions will come close together and last longer. You experience intense pressure, rapid changes and all the fierceness of giving birth. It is physically demanding and draining. It does not look anything like the ‘perfect baby’ image you’ve held for nine months. It is the time when you yell out “Stop! I’ve had enough!”

Transition is an unpredictable confusing time. Just like in labour, you can’t estimate how long your transition will be. You might feel a lack of grace for current assignments, unexpectedly encounter closed doors and experience a shift in energy and focus. It is a season of uncertainty and confrontation.

In this season you:-

Embrace change – acknowledge that transitions are a natural part of growth.

Seek Fresh Identity – ask the Lord who He says you are in this new season.

Prepare for the new – be willing to let go of old assignments, habits and mindsets.

Say ‘Yes’ to Open Doors – be ready to step into your new season as you leave the old behind.

Work closely with the Holy Spirit (your midwife!) – understand how to navigate the shift and release back to God your old assignments and responsibilities that are not aligned with the upcoming changes.

These questions may give insight into your current season.

Who does the Lord say I am?  When the Lord gives us a deeper understanding of our identity, it may be a sign of what is to come.

What is in my hand? What resources we have access to may be a sign of the season.

Can I sense any patterns? Recurring themes, dreams, or prophetic messages can provide insights.

Where is Jesus for me in this moment? Ask the Lord what He wants to give you at this time.

The day you plant the seed is not the day you bake the bread.

Everything has its time. When you recognize your current seasons and assignments, you’re aligned with God’s timing and His power and will find yourself in His slipstream of living freely and lightly.

Acknowledgements

In addition to personal insights, this discussion draws on teachings from DaySpring, Bethel, and Jubliee churches, in particular: Narelle Crabtree, Kris Vallotton, and Isi de Gersigny.