Friends can hold your hand and cheer you along, but shepherding a God-given dream to fulfilment always involves watering it with your own tears. Neither fellowship nor friendship can lower the price of personal sacrifice required. That's the not-so-good news. However, the better-than-great news is - there will be a harvest! "Those who sow in tears will reap with… joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with… joy, carrying sheaves with him" (Psalm 126:5-6 NIV). But you must recognise what season you're in. There's:

1) A time for weeping. This is not an excuse for passivity, or a posture of weakness that reduces you to tears because life's not fair and things are tough. Nehemiah was moved to tears over Jerusalem's ruins. Then he sought God, developed a plan, put together a team and rebuilt the city. What moves you? What do you feel passionate about?

2) A time for reaping. Everything in life has a season and a reason (Ecclesiastes 3:1-4). Those who understand the reason and maximise the season are "like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season… (Psalm 1:3 NIV). Note the words, 'in season.' Fruit won't grow before its time. That's why you must discern your life's changing seasons and adjust to them. Even restaurant menus remind us that certain dishes are only available in season. You need to know when it's time to stop weeping and start reaping, otherwise you'll miss your harvest. Tears are for the sower, joy is for the reaper. So when your season changes, harvest your fields with joy! You've paid your dues; now it's time to enjoy what God has promised you.