Ecclesiastes 3:1-13
3:1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
9 What do workers gain from their toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. 13 That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.
For Everything there is a season
For everything there is a season! I remember my mom keeping our family Bible turned to this passage throughout my childhood. For everything there is a season under heaven as we find ourselves in that odd time of the year. It is January 2nd and to the outside world the holidays are over, Christmas decorations are put away and the merriment of New Year’s is quickly fading away to the business of the day. However, to those who know, Christmas is not yet over. For the Church, the Christmas Season is still in swing. From December 25th (Christ’s birth) to January 6th (Epiphany), the day the wise men recognized Jesus as King, are the days of Christmas. That is 12 days if you are counting. 🙂
During this time we should be mindful, as Stefanie reminded us in last week’s devotion, that Christ is born, The Messiah has come, and Joy to the World! But, it is not always that easy.
In 2022 our family has experienced a variety of seasons. From good times of joy, laughter and family all overshadowed by times of death, mourning and grief. As my wife, Debbie, and I both lost our Dads in 2022 we found ourselves in unfamiliar territory. But even in our grief we are bolstered by the promises of God.
Isaiah 41:10
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
In this season, God’s promises were brought forth by the faithful. God’s love surrounded us through friends, family and complete strangers. Jesus’ compassion has been lived out by those around us through food, conversation, hugs, cards and people just walking with us. By God’s strength alone we are able to go forth.
As the seasons change and we journey from mourning to joy we are reminded even more of God’s good gifts. As this new year starts and new opportunities come may we all be reminded, and be a reminder to others, that God is with us always. May Christ be born again in us. May our souls be set on fire for the gospel and bringing Jesus’ love and grace to all we meet. May the burdens of this world never dim the light of the Holy Spirit within us and may the world know we are Christians by our love.
Christ is born! The Messiah has come! and yes, Joy to the World!
Prayer
God, You are the giver of all good gifts. May we be ever mindful that You are with us even when we don’t feel You. When You speak to us in gentle nudges: Open our ears that we may hear, open our eyes that we may see and open our hearts that we may be Your hands and feet to show Your love to those in need. We thank you for the gifts of Your Son Jesus and for the Advocate we have in the Holy Spirit. Help us to get out of the way so You can act through us to the glory of Your kingdom. Through the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen,
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