Accepting the Seasons

We don’t get to control the seasons. As much as we might prefer spring or summer, winter will come. Sometimes life can feel like eternal summer, things are going well, at work, in relationships, we can feel invincible. Almost. But inevitably, sometime, the season changes. Something goes wrong or we lose someone or our health changes or we get hit by a global pandemic. As much as we like to think we’re in control, we’re not.

Our church at the moment is talking about rollercoasters. About life being like that. To ride a rollercoaster, to have to put some trust in the designer and maker of the ride. And even then, we can ride it fearfully, clinging on. Or we can let go and embrace the experience, through all the highs and lows and twists.

We can try to take control and write our own story but it doesn’t work that way. It’s not meant to work that way. We live in the center of our own universe so we act as if it’s our life that matters most. But ultimately, we don’t get to control much. We’re not capable of controlling much. We can try, we can cling on, or not ride at all and just be observers. Or we can try to let go, trust whoever designed this thing, and try to make the most of wherever it takes us.

If the story is just about me and I hate the winter, then it’s going to be tough to enjoy the season. But if there’s a much bigger story that I get to be a part of, then I don’t have to pretend it’s still summer. I can accept the season I’m in, and still find my part to play.

Too many analogies, but I hope you’ll accept and make the most of whatever season you’re in at the moment, whether that’s full of ideas and enthusiasm or struggling to get by. It’s not wrong to want things to change, but don’t put life on hold until they do.

(And if you’re struggling for inspiration in your photography, I’m putting some materials together that will help. Coming soon!)