All of us are in a specific season of life. Some are empty-nesters, while others are welcoming their first babies. Some are starting new careers, while others of us are raising teenagers, or taking care of aging parents, or are chasing toddlers.
These seasons have specific borders, and our roles in them feel defined and clear. But these aren't the only seasons we navigate. We also experience seasons of darkness, where there is suffering and hopelessness and doubt—when God's presence is dim, when pain is persistently present, and when joy seems just out of reach. We experience seasons where things seem ordinary—predictable and maybe a little boring, where we accomplish what is necessary and expected, where nothing terrible is happening, but nothing all that exciting or important seems on the horizon, either. There are also seasons of purpose—when God's mission for us seems vibrant and energizing and good, where we can't wait to see what each day brings, when God's work in our lives feels so evident, important, and real.