Jacob Teaches Us 3 Ways to Embrace Our Season of Life from Genesis 33

A winter storm whirled through our neighborhood toward the beginning of Fall. Ice hardened leaves into bowls, and snow filled them. Fresh powder blanketed our lawn. I pushed back my living room curtains for a wider view and heard a loud cracking sound. Then a thud. 

The early arrival of snow placed too much weight on branches full of leaves, causing them to fall—some on power lines. So, we lived by the heat of our fireplace for a day while work crews fixed the connections.

Our power outage taught me that the flow of a season is important. Every season has a purpose and prepares creation for the pressures of the next season.

Just like maple trees, we too live our best when we embrace the season we are in without rushing to carry the weight of the next season.

BUT HOW CAN WE EMBRACE OUR SEASON OF LIFE?

LEARN FROM AN ANCIENT EXAMPLE.

In Genesis Ch. 33, we read about Jacob’s concern for the women and children traveling with him from Paddan-aram, the land of his father-in-law, Laban—back to Jacob’s home in Canaan. When Jacob meets up with Esau after years of distance (remember, Esau wanted to kill Jacob for stealing his birthright and then also the blessing from Isaac—and Jacob fled), the two reconcile. Esau tells Jacob, “Let us take our journey and go.”

But Jacob responds, “My lord knows the children are frail and that the flocks and herds which are nursing are a care for me. And if they are driven hard one day, all the flocks will die. Please let my lord pass on before his servant, and I will proceed at my leisure, according to the pace of the cattle that are before me and according to the pace of the children, until I come to my lord at Seir.” (Genesis 33:13-14)

So Esau continued and Jacob journeyed at the pace of those in his care.

JACOB POINTS US TO 3 WAYS TO EMBRACE OUR SEASON OF LIFE.

1. List your responsibilities. What and/or who are you in charge of in this season of life? Jacob was responsible for the little ones in his care and adjusted his pace to be able to care for them.
2. Prioritize relationships. People are more important than production. Caring for others is a priority in every season. Jacob prioritized people over the urgency to get to his destination.
3. Check your speed. The pace of life needs to adjust to the season you are in. Just like Jacob, we need to look at the needs of ourselves and those in our care to know how fast and far to push our schedules and checklists.

WHAT SEASON OF LIFE ARE YOU IN?

Do you have young ones at home, needing a slower pace to life? Are you working in a high-paced industry? Are you enjoying the later years of life with grandkids? Are you caring for an aging family member?

Whatever the season you are in, look around. Notice the unique capabilities of this season, without wishing it away or trying to rush into the next.

I STRUGGLE WITH THIS.

Similar to my post last month about making goals for the new year, recognizing our season of life helps us listen intently to God’s call on our lives for our current situation. But I want to do it all. I want to be an awesome mom to three young kids—cooking homemade macaroni and cheese, playing Sorry, making up stories at bed time. I want to volunteer to lead Bible study at church and ramp up my freelance career—all at the same time. The Lord is teaching me to breathe. Slow. Hug the life right in front of my without rush or worry about the next day—or the next season.

Because tomorrow is not promised to any of us. We need to live loved by Christ right where we are—and live for Him in THIS season instead of rushing toward the next.

I write this for me. May it bless you also.

This post was first seen on SeanaScott.org