WISDOM OF TIMING (2)

“While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease” – Genesis 8:22

The divinely-ordered cycle of seasons and unceasing pattern of day and night, lend credence to the WISDOM of TIMING: “While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease” (Gen.8:22). Responding to Noah’s first act after leaving the Ark – building an altar and offering sacrifices – the Lord smelled a soothing aroma, and made a new commitment. The idea of the aroma doesn’t imply that God literally inhaled smoke. Rather, the scent signified a scriptural metaphor relating to prayer, and how sacrifices are received by God. He committed to never again curse the earth or annihilate life, despite humanity’s continuing sinfulness!

Noah and his family had been rescued from the flood that drowned the rest of humanity, having spent one year plus some days on the Ark (Gen.7:11-13; 8:14-20). Noah could not have shortened the duration of the divinely-ordered process, because God was in charge of the weather elements and He had, by Himself, shut the door of the Ark (Gen.7:16). There was a time when anyone could have come through the door and been saved from the impending flood, but that time passed the moment God shut the only door into the Ark. Jesus Christ is the Door into Life. All those who enter through Him are saved. But there’s a time coming when it will be too late! Life is all about Timing!

For a whole year the flood waters ravaged the earth, wiping every living creature from off the face of the earth and halting the seasonal cycle. But in His Grace, God remembered Noah and his family, for His Mercy is new every morning. Great is His faithfulness! Now, God committed to never again curse the earth as He had through the flood or wipe out humanity and every living thing. He established that throughout the planet’s history, the patterns of nature and cycles of creation will remain as set. Day will follow night. One season will follow another.

The phrase “Seedtime and harvest” implies that in-between Seed-sowing and Harvest is TIME. Growth and Maturity always take time! The seed does not produce the very moment it is sown. Every seed goes through a process in the course of time: “For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head” (Mk.4:28). Every farmer knows the Law of Seed Time and Harvest. This is the principle and method that God has established for planet Earth, and it will be that way as long as the planet is in existence!

Man’s Lifespan or earth is reflected in the rhythm of the Day and Seasons. Understanding the seasons will rightly direct our priorities in life (Ecc.3:1). The Day comprises morning, midday, afternoon, and night; the Year, Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter – all, metaphors for Life:

Morning is the Spring of Birth, Childhood and Youth that sets the stage for life and the pattern for the future. It is the phase of survival and growth, with the tussle between nurture and nature, and the tumultuous changes, pains and pleasures of puberty.

Midday is the Summer of Young Adulthood; the season of sowing, planting, fertility, and nesting; the child becomes the adult, the boy the father, the girl the mother, and seeds of childhood dreams begin to yield fruits. The sun is at its height and new mountains invite.

Afternoon is the Fall of Midlife; the season of experience, maturation, harvests, reflections, balancing past and future, to trigger the second half of life. Time to take stock for a fresh start, prune in preparation for winter, sort what’s needed and what to leave – menopause moment!

Night is the cold and dreary Winter that completes our passage through the seasons. Bodies resemble the bare elegant trees of winter, branches reaching to heaven, and roots ready to give life again to heavenly spring! Wisdom for Legacy is the hallmark of the Golden Years!