It came to pass
One of my favourite lines in the Bible is “It came to pass,” which appears many times. Yes, I know that modern-day translations sometimes phrase it differently, but that short phrase has often spoken deeply to me. It's often overlooked as just a phrase that opens a dialogue or story, but it's often key to understanding how God's Kingdom and His Creation work.
I think we would all agree that things in life are constantly changing and nothing seems to stay the same. We look at the world and see that each day there's something else that's changed, and we're all constantly having to adjust our approach to life. I found that to be the case, particularly at work, where I had to adapt to change, assimilate new ways of doing things, and keep up. I couldn't stick to the old way of doing things if I still wanted to move forward and impress my managers, who seemed to be driving change with their ideas on how best to do things. It was exhausting, but that is the world's way; it's exhausting to live up to the demands of the world's systems.
But we have a different Kingdom and a different system. The Kingdom of God operates within boundaries, yes, but not like the world system that rewards compliance and punishes those who do things differently. The boundaries of heaven are governed by seasons, each of which must “come to pass”. Each season has something to teach us, to give us, and to prepare us for the next season. Each season has its differences and blessings, but each will come to an end, and the new season will begin, offering different challenges, blessings, and outcomes.
As an example, winter is the time of rest, preparation, resolve, and expectation. Spring is full-on production, breaking forth, growth, emergence, and new life. Summer is contending, fruit-bearing, enduring, sacrificing, and long-suffering. Autumn is the time of rejoicing, of gathering and sharing the fruit, of laying up for winter. Each has its unique purposes and outcomes, and each can differ in different ways, but each has hope woven into the very fabric, and each has a path it must take.
Knowing your seasons is key to understanding your journey and its purpose. Knowing the seasons come to pass is also key to navigating the path you are on, recognising that change is cyclical and necessary, but ultimately good for you in the long run.
Of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do.
1 Chronicles 12:32 ESV
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