The Hope of a New Season
The HOPE of a New Season
After a long summer break of vacations, backyard BBQs, sleeping in, and reduced work schedules, September signals a change. A new season is beginning. The weather is noticeably different than the warm, hazy days of July and August. There is the inevitable back-to-school rush to get new clothes and supplies. Schedules are made, and getting back into the weekly school, work, and church routine begins. September also signals a new ministry season in many churches. Bible studies, youth and small groups that paused for the summer are ramped up, and new preaching series often begin.
What about our personal change of season? How does this new season of September impact us in our walk with Jesus? In his soon to be released book, Scott Rodin writes, “We invest our lives in our pursuit of achieving our definition of success . . . the problem with “doing” as our means of success is that we can never “do” enough. This is one of the enemy's greatest weapons against Christians.”[1] Think about it: September brings a lot of activity as we re-engage with work, business, church, school, and other activities after a summer pause. But do we see the opportunity and hope of a new season of spiritual growth? Or do we instinctively fall into old, and sometimes unhealthy, patterns in our spiritual life?
A new season allows us to make some corrections in our spiritual walk that help us focus on faithfulness rather than success. It amazes me when I see those who claim to be followers of Jesus running after the success of this world. They would never state that, but their actions demonstrate it. From kid’s travel sports that cost tens of thousands of dollars, run over weekends, and cause time away from Worship gatherings on Sundays, to corporate ladder climbing that is posed as necessary for career advancement. These end up robbing families of time together and creating an absent-parent environment. Even an overload of ministry commitments at church can lead to unhealthy pursuits of pleasing God through our actions.
The hope of a new season allows us to sit back and evaluate our priorities amid the busyness of the season. What do we need to let go of, or do more of, to create a closer walk with Jesus? Perhaps it is a commitment to a more dedicated prayer life or bible quiet time each day. Perhaps it is a purging of activities, or excessive screen time that fills time but doesn't contribute to healthy family relationships. Whatever it is, take some time this month to re-evaluate the season and make some healthy changes.
September may be a new season, but it will also pass quickly, and so will the opportunities. Psalm 90:12 reminds us to use our time wisely, “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” A new season signals a change. It is also an opportunity for change that begins with us and flows to those we influence. Let's use this new season to strive to walk closer to Jesus in these ever-changing seasons.
Grateful for the season to reflect and focus more each day on Jesus!
Rev. Bill Allan,
AGC President
[1] Rodin, R. Scott, p. 85-86. Enough: Finding Deep Contentment in an Anxious and Fearful World (to be released September 1, 2026).