Growing in the Seasons of Life

"There is a season (a time appointed) for everything and a time for every delight and event or purpose under heaven." - Ecclesiastes 3:1

Leaders often struggle with knowing the time to walk away. The comforts of the familiar, a steady stream of income, and knowing the capacity of your team make it difficult to move into the unknown. In everyone's life there are seasons of beginning seasons of ending. I just left a meeting with one of my sons who has struggled with leaving his organization for two years. He loves the leadership, but he experiences a different feeling when he walks into the building. He knows his season has ended, but he is challenged in knowing the right time to move on.

I had a client for 20 years, one of my first. It was great. The services I provided were routine. The pay was good and consistent. It was an easy assignment. However, a few years ago, I knew it was time to let them go. I wrote the letter ending the relationship and gave them 30 days to replace me. The owner was sad as we became family, but I could not provide excellent service when my heart was not in it. My assignment had ended and it was time to move to my next assignment. The timing was confirmed when less than a year later, the owner sold all the assets and retired.

I watch professional athletes and entertainers hold onto yesterday, their bodies worn out, their passion fading. They can't let go of the glory days. I coached little league baseball for over twenty years. I won a few league championships and watched many of the young men excel at the high school and collegiate level. After I won my last championship, I decided to retire and gave the reins to one of my assistant coaches. My staff asked me to stay one more year, but I left while on top with great memories of the lives and families I influenced.

Parents have a hard time letting their children go and grow into adulthood. Servants in ministry have a hard time moving from one congregation to another. Employees have a hard time accepting a new and more lucrative opportunity. Families have a hard time leaving their first home to downsize or move to another community. Life has seasons and if we do not move when one season ends, we will miss the beginning of a new season designed to renew our hope and optimism. We won't grow and miss opportunities to mature.

Seasons don't end with age. Some people contemplate retirement as a sign it is time to leave a company. I believe you sleep when you are dead and there is always work to do to make this world better. You never retire. You pursue another harvest. You know your season is over when the passion you used to exhibit, the passion that woke you up each morning to brave the heat, cold, snow, and rain has faded. You don't want to go into the office even with good people around you. You go on vacation and quickly plan the next one. You use all your PTO days before the first quarter has ended. You go on disability leave because of a paper cut. You dread being there although you love what you do and the people you serve. If you have reached this point, your season is ending.

Shortly before I left General Motors, I started cleaning out my office. There was nothing on my desk expect a picture of my wife. It appeared as if I had left. I knew my season was ending. A little while later, I was told my department was being eliminated and I would need to find another opportunity within or outside of the company. I chose to leave in faith and trust the Lord for my tomorrow. My journey has been filled with the unexpected, but I made the right decision and have wonderful testimonies as evidence.

Life is uncertain and tomorrow is not promised. Take a chance on yourself and don't be afraid to move into a new season. You won't know how great your life will be until you are willing to let go of the seen and embrace the unseen.