THREE ANGELS BROADCASTING NETWORK DEVOTIONAL.
God’s Seasons of Life
By Deborah Shaffer
May 11th, 2026
“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1
There is something I love about living in Midwestern America—the four distinct seasons. Just when I begin to tire of the cold, frigid air and the ice and snow of winter, we start experiencing a warm day now and then. Soon, instead of bundling up like an Eskimo, a light jacket is all that is needed. Flowers start popping through the ground, and the outside world is soon covered in my favorite color, green! Before long, the sun stays out longer so families can enjoy outside activities. Then spring turns into summer. What memories I have of fun childhood games and neighborhood gatherings into the night! Then, just as the summer heat gets tiring and relief is sought, autumn emerges with its beautiful colors and coolness. Yes, what a blessing it is to see God’s hand in every season!
But just like the ever-changing earthly seasons, the seasons of our lives are passing, as well. Time cannot be stopped or slowed. The memories of my own childhood were accompanied by memories of my children when they were small, adolescents, and teenagers. And now they are overshadowed by the memories of my grandchildren—and to be quite truthful, great-grandchildren are probably just a few short years away!
The words of the Apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, ring out a truth that is loud and clear in Ephesians 5:15–16: “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” We must continually remember that God gives us the gift of time. It is something that cannot be wasted, and will someday pass away. We have to make the best use of it daily.
As Christians, we should rejoice and live to bring God honor and glory in every season of life. From conception to the aged, the Bible sheds truth:
Jeremiah 1:5: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.”
Proverbs 20:11: “Even a child is known by his deeds, whether what he does is pure and right.”
1 Timothy 4:12: “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
Proverbs 22:6: “Train up a child in the way he should go,
and when he is old he will not depart from it.”
Proverbs 20:29: “The glory of young men is their strength, and the splendor of old men is their gray head.”
It really doesn’t matter what season of life you find yourself in, your purpose in life is the same: Glorify God! God didn’t have to give you life, it is His special gift. He has plans for you at every stage.
As I age, beauty fades on the outside. I experience wrinkles, weight gain, and grayness. But no matter the changes, this is my prayer: Let the beauty of me be from Your beauty inside. As the outer grows harsher, let the inner (the real me) grow softer. Help me to accept the change of my outward appearance and let Your inward love speak louder. Let your Holy Spirit grow more beautiful in me every day.
God’s Seasons of Life
By Deborah Shaffer
May 11th, 2026
“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1
There is something I love about living in Midwestern America—the four distinct seasons. Just when I begin to tire of the cold, frigid air and the ice and snow of winter, we start experiencing a warm day now and then. Soon, instead of bundling up like an Eskimo, a light jacket is all that is needed. Flowers start popping through the ground, and the outside world is soon covered in my favorite color, green! Before long, the sun stays out longer so families can enjoy outside activities. Then spring turns into summer. What memories I have of fun childhood games and neighborhood gatherings into the night! Then, just as the summer heat gets tiring and relief is sought, autumn emerges with its beautiful colors and coolness. Yes, what a blessing it is to see God’s hand in every season!
But just like the ever-changing earthly seasons, the seasons of our lives are passing, as well. Time cannot be stopped or slowed. The memories of my own childhood were accompanied by memories of my children when they were small, adolescents, and teenagers. And now they are overshadowed by the memories of my grandchildren—and to be quite truthful, great-grandchildren are probably just a few short years away!
The words of the Apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, ring out a truth that is loud and clear in Ephesians 5:15–16: “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” We must continually remember that God gives us the gift of time. It is something that cannot be wasted, and will someday pass away. We have to make the best use of it daily.
As Christians, we should rejoice and live to bring God honor and glory in every season of life. From conception to the aged, the Bible sheds truth:
Jeremiah 1:5: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.”
Proverbs 20:11: “Even a child is known by his deeds, whether what he does is pure and right.”
1 Timothy 4:12: “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
Proverbs 22:6: “Train up a child in the way he should go,
and when he is old he will not depart from it.”
Proverbs 20:29: “The glory of young men is their strength, and the splendor of old men is their gray head.”
It really doesn’t matter what season of life you find yourself in, your purpose in life is the same: Glorify God! God didn’t have to give you life, it is His special gift. He has plans for you at every stage.
As I age, beauty fades on the outside. I experience wrinkles, weight gain, and grayness. But no matter the changes, this is my prayer: Let the beauty of me be from Your beauty inside. As the outer grows harsher, let the inner (the real me) grow softer. Help me to accept the change of my outward appearance and let Your inward love speak louder. Let your Holy Spirit grow more beautiful in me every day.
THREE ANGELS BROADCASTING NETWORK DEVOTIONAL.
God’s Seasons of Life
By Deborah Shaffer
May 11th, 2026
“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1
There is something I love about living in Midwestern America—the four distinct seasons. Just when I begin to tire of the cold, frigid air and the ice and snow of winter, we start experiencing a warm day now and then. Soon, instead of bundling up like an Eskimo, a light jacket is all that is needed. Flowers start popping through the ground, and the outside world is soon covered in my favorite color, green! Before long, the sun stays out longer so families can enjoy outside activities. Then spring turns into summer. What memories I have of fun childhood games and neighborhood gatherings into the night! Then, just as the summer heat gets tiring and relief is sought, autumn emerges with its beautiful colors and coolness. Yes, what a blessing it is to see God’s hand in every season!
But just like the ever-changing earthly seasons, the seasons of our lives are passing, as well. Time cannot be stopped or slowed. The memories of my own childhood were accompanied by memories of my children when they were small, adolescents, and teenagers. And now they are overshadowed by the memories of my grandchildren—and to be quite truthful, great-grandchildren are probably just a few short years away!
The words of the Apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, ring out a truth that is loud and clear in Ephesians 5:15–16: “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” We must continually remember that God gives us the gift of time. It is something that cannot be wasted, and will someday pass away. We have to make the best use of it daily.
As Christians, we should rejoice and live to bring God honor and glory in every season of life. From conception to the aged, the Bible sheds truth:
Jeremiah 1:5: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.”
Proverbs 20:11: “Even a child is known by his deeds, whether what he does is pure and right.”
1 Timothy 4:12: “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
Proverbs 22:6: “Train up a child in the way he should go,
and when he is old he will not depart from it.”
Proverbs 20:29: “The glory of young men is their strength, and the splendor of old men is their gray head.”
It really doesn’t matter what season of life you find yourself in, your purpose in life is the same: Glorify God! God didn’t have to give you life, it is His special gift. He has plans for you at every stage.
As I age, beauty fades on the outside. I experience wrinkles, weight gain, and grayness. But no matter the changes, this is my prayer: Let the beauty of me be from Your beauty inside. As the outer grows harsher, let the inner (the real me) grow softer. Help me to accept the change of my outward appearance and let Your inward love speak louder. Let your Holy Spirit grow more beautiful in me every day.
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