Seasons Change

Everything Has Its Time

For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven:

a time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill and a time to heal; a time to break down and a time to build up; a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance; a time to throw away stones and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek and a time to lose; a time to keep and a time to throw away; a time to tear and a time to sew; a time to keep silent and a time to speak; a time to love and a time to hate; a time for war and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3. 1 - 8

The Old Testament readings this week have been from the book of Ecclesiastes, a curious little book that is full of the reflections of a philosopher rather than testimonies of belief. The author seems to be searching for the meaning of human existence and ways for man to find good in life. Though he suggests that man's efforts, character and accomplishments make no difference in his fate, he affirms that life is worth living even with its limitations...one must face facts, accept what cannot be changed, and enjoy whatever good things God permits.

The reading for today includes the strange line "Vanity, vanity all is vanity" emphasizing the futility of life. But it made me think about the passage above which has always been one of my favorites especially in a time when seasons of life are changing.

I encourage us all to reflect on "for everything there is a season, a time for every matter under heaven," considering where and how our seasons are changing...where we are being born, laughing, healing, sewing, loving and making peace. Those are the peak moments in life, but without the valleys also described in this passage, we would never know those mountain tops.