When the Season Changed and We Did Not

One of the challenges we face in walking with God is learning how to let go of old ways of doing things in order to embrace what He is doing now. What worked in a previous season may not work in a new one and sometimes, holding on too long can cost us more than we realize.

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” Isaiah 43:18–19

I learned this lesson in a very practical way through an experience with my truck.

I had a new truck, but I was treating it like my old car. With my old vehicle, I could stretch the time between oil changes without immediate consequences. So when it came time to service the new truck, I assumed I had the same flexibility. What I didn’t realize was that newer vehicles operate differently. When it’s time for an oil change, the engine gradually discharges the old oil. If it isn’t serviced, the oil level eventually drops until there is none left to protect the engine.

What makes this even more humbling is that every time I started my truck, a small tool icon would illuminate on the dashboard. It was clearly signaling that it was time for service. I saw it, every single time. Yet I ignored it, thinking, I’ll handle it another time.

I even convinced myself that it must be something minor. Surely it wasn’t urgent. Surely I had time. I didn’t stop to consider that even minor issues, when left unattended, can become major problems. Because I didn’t take a moment to investigate why the service light was on, I allowed something preventative to turn into something damaging.

I continued driving the truck until one day it no longer rode smoothly. The engine began stalling, and the knocking became so loud that I knew something was seriously wrong. I parked the truck and refused to drive it again until a mechanic could inspect it.

The diagnosis was simple and sobering. The truck needed an oil change, and there was no oil left in the engine.

Here I was, proud of the wisdom I had displayed in choosing not to drive the truck anymore after it stalled, only to be brought back down into humility when God reminded me that the indicator lights on the dashboard had already been signaling that something was wrong.

“The wise see danger ahead and avoid it, but fools keep going and get into trouble.” Proverbs 22:3

As I reflected on the situation, God made it clear that the truck had been warning me all along. The indicator lights were not random. They were alerts designed to protect the engine. I noticed them, but I did not respond. I acknowledged them, but I did not investigate them.

This is often how God speaks to us.

God gives us indicators when something in our life needs attention. He uses His Word, the conviction of the Holy Spirit, and even circumstances to alert us when change is necessary. But when we rely on old patterns and past experiences, we can dismiss what He is highlighting. We assume we have time. We assume it’s minor. We assume it can wait.

Jesus addressed this truth when He said:

“No one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins, the wine will run out, and the wineskins will be ruined.” Luke 5:37

New seasons require new awareness. New blessings require new stewardship. What once worked may no longer be sufficient for where God is leading now.

Sometimes the “service light” in our lives looks small an area of neglect, a gentle conviction, a repeated nudge from the Holy Spirit. But ignoring the small things does not make them disappear. It allows them to grow. What could have been handled in a moment can eventually stall progress altogether.

God is always doing something new, but we must be willing to perceive it and respond. Ignoring His indicators does not stop His work it only delays our alignment and increases unnecessary strain.

“For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:6

Just like that truck, responding in time can preserve what God has entrusted to us.

Prayer: 

Father God,
Thank You for loving us enough to warn us, guide us, and protect what You’ve entrusted to us. Give us discernment to recognize Your indicators and humility to respond when You speak. Help us not to ignore the small nudges, but to see them as grace calling us into alignment with what You are doing now. Teach us to steward this season well and to embrace the new thing You are bringing forth.
Amen.