Written by Evangelist Shanika Bryan
In Jamaica, mango season begins around April or May and ends around July. There are several variety of mango trees including: Black or “Blackie”, East Indian, Julie or “St. Julien”, Number 11, Robin, and “Sweetie Come Brush Me”. They all blossom in the same season. However, they each have their own "turn" to bear fruit. Just like the mango tree, we all have our harvest season. Some may yield early; and others may yield later but they are still within the season. It doesn’t matter how long it may take because every fruit will have it’s time to ripe.
Whenever the word “season” comes to mind, many people may think of the change in climate (spring, summer, autumn and winter). However, seasons in our life do not necessarily mean 3-month increments. Some seasons tend to overlap; thus, we might experience shorter warm days than winter days but that doesn't mean the season has not ended.
God's timing, not mine. (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
One of the most challenging parts of being a Christian is trusting God’s timing. If you’re like me, you get tripped up on that far more often than you’d like to admit. There are many times in our lives when we wish things would move along a little more quickly. Perhaps, we are in a difficult season, and we just want it to be over as soon as possible. However, time is never meaningless for God and if we try to jump ahead, we may not learn the lessons that will benefit us in the season to come.
God's will, not mine. (Matthew 6:10)
When Jesus gave the disciples the pattern of prayer, he taught them to pray for God's sovereign rule:
"Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10 NIV)
While we might be going through our season, God's will should always be considered. When we pray we need to pray for God’s will to transpire in our lives, just as His will always works in Heaven. This means we must surrender our own wants and desires to fully follow God’s will.
God's plan, not mine. (Jeremiah 29:11)
According to the theologian, 20th century Swiss pastor and professor, Karl Barth states, “we need to let God’s plan be executed, to let it come to pass, for to God belong the plan and its execution.” Here is the big question for all of us today: Are we willing to pray such a prayer? Are we willing to tell God that we want to follow his plans for our life, whatever they may be, rather than our own? This is one of the scariest and seemingly disorienting prayers we can pray. And yet, it is among the most important prayers for us to pray. It is us saying that we entrust our lives to the creator, sustainer, and savior of the universe, knowing that His plans are so much greater and mightier than ours.
God's glory, not mine.
We must remember that everything belongs to him and everything in our life as believers should ultimately give him the glory. I understand that waiting on your Godly spouse, waiting for circumstances to change, waiting on something to be completed or waiting on your purpose can be difficult, however, I just want to remind you that you CAN get through this season; wait your turn. God has not forgotten you!
God Bless you all!