Holding God at the Centre of Every Season
By Pastor Jerry A. Burns
I had the privilege of preaching at a family conference in Hamilton, Ontario. It was a blessing to stand alongside two other preachers, each addressing different but deeply connected realities of life. I preached on grief. Another pastor spoke on trauma and crisis. The final message focused on transitional seasons. Though the subjects varied, the theme was drawn from Ecclesiastes 3 — a reminder that life is full of seasons.
Seasons do not ask our permission. They come and go. There are seasons of joy and seasons of heartbreak. Seasons of stability and seasons of upheaval. Solomon lists them plainly: a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance. Our lives are constantly changing, and often we feel unprepared for what the next season brings. Grief can shake us. Crisis can unsettle us. Transitions can leave us uncertain.
But the real danger is not the changing seasons — it is allowing God to drift from the centre of our lives during those transitional times. When God is not central, change becomes devastating. Grief becomes despair. Crisis becomes panic. Transition becomes confusion. However, when God remains first, seasons become sacred opportunities to trust Him more deeply.
Solomon closes Ecclesiastes with these words: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13)
The stability of life is not found in controlling our circumstances but in looking to the Lord who controls the seasons. When we fear God and walk in obedience, every season — even the hardest — becomes a pathway to deeper faith.
Read the entire book of Ecclesiastes this week, marking every reference to time, seasons, and the fear of God.
Take a moment to consider the season you are in right now. Is it one of joy, grief, crisis, or transition? Ask yourself honestly: Is God at the centre of this season? Make a deliberate decision today to fear Him, trust Him, and obey Him. As you do, you will discover that changing seasons are not threats but invitations to follow Him more closely.
"The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in him; And all the upright in heart shall glory." — Psalm 64:10
Daily Scripture Reading
Join us as we read through the Bible in one year, growing together in God’s Word day by day. Click on any underlined verse to access Pastor Burns’ helpful study notes and deeper insights.
Look up a different passage
Search for any chapter or scripture above to begin.
This Week's Radio Program
Week Eighteen • May 3, 2026
Trusting God With Tomorrow (Pt. 3)
In this final part of the message, “Trusting God with Tomorrow,” we are brought face to face with a powerful truth from Scripture—while we often plan our days and assume the future, the Bible teaches us that life is fragile, uncertain, and completely in God’s hands. As James reminds us, our life is “even a vapour” that appears for a little time and then vanishes away . The issue is not planning, but planning without God—living as though we are in control of what only God knows.
This message walks through the heart of biblical trust: having a proper perspective of tomorrow, a humble posture before God today, and a surrendered plan that says, “If the Lord will.” Whether facing uncertainty, fear, or the illusion of control, we are called to draw near to God, rest in His care, and trust that His will is good, even when tomorrow is unknown. Because Christ has risen, our future is secure—not in our plans, but in His perfect hands.
Listen to Past Programs
Recent Devotionals
Catch up on the last few days.