Saying Goodbye to One Season, Trusting the Next

How many of us have heard the phrase, “Change is the only constant in life”?

True or false?

The idea most often traces back to Heraclitus, who expressed it this way:

“No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man.”

What did he mean?

Heraclitus believed that everything is in a constant state of flux—nothing stays exactly the same, including us.

And that much is true.

Life is constantly changing. With every season we live through, we change along with it—for better or for worse.

During a season of personal transition in my own life, I’ve found myself returning again and again to the words of “the Teacher” in Ecclesiastes 3. Traditionally attributed to Solomon—known for his unmatched wisdom—this chapter offers profound insight into how God works through the seasons of our lives.

Here are three truths from Ecclesiastes 3 that I’ve been holding onto in this season.

1. God has appointed seasons for everything (vv. 1–8)

“There is a time for everything,and a season for every activity under the heavens:a time to plant and a time to uproot…a time to weep and a time to laugh…a time to keep and a time to cast away…a time to be silent and a time to speak…”

Life is not random.

Human experiences—joy and sorrow, building and breaking, loss and restoration—exist within God-ordained seasons. This does not mean that every season will feel good or make sense to us, but it does mean that everything has a time and a place under God’s sovereignty.

2. God is the true constant (v. 14)

“I know that whatever God does endures forever…”

People are mortal. Circumstances shift. Even the most reliable humans will disappoint us at times.

But God remains sovereign and unchanging.

Scripture reminds us that God promises never to leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5), and that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).

Everything changes—except God.

3. God’s judgment is the only one that ultimately matters (vv. 16–17)

“In the place of judgment—wickedness was there..."

Ecclesiastes acknowledges something we all experience: human judgment is often flawed.

Judgment belongs to God because He alone sees motives, timing, and the full story. His judgment is personal and divine—not comparative or communal like human judgment, which is limited and imperfect (see Romans 14:10–12; 1 Samuel 16:7).

There is peace in knowing that God’s perspective—not people’s opinions—has the final word.

Finding peace in the seasons

I often say that my life has been a series of detours. Life in my 40s looks very different from what I imagined at 14. And yet, I have peace in holding onto this truth:

“He has made everything beautiful in its time.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

In 2025, I experienced real loss—but I also gained things that are deeply precious to me. Every season, every joy, every disappointment has shaped me into the woman I am becoming, and for that, I am grateful.

If you’re walking through a season of change

Whether you’re navigating a new job, unemployment, the loss of a friendship or relationship, engagement, divorce, a new baby, a new home, church hurt, or something entirely unexpected—remember this:

• Change is real

• Change is inevitable

• Change is purposeful

• God is unchanging

  
  

As we prepare to say goodbye to 2025 and step into 2026, my prayer is that your next season brings growth, healing, and hope. God not only allows change—He initiates it for redemption and renewal.

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!”— Isaiah 43:18–19

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!