Ecclesiastes 3:1-8: 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 silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.
At the beginning of a new year, it’s a good time to reflect backwards and forwards. What went well and what do I want to change next year? Where do I want to be this time next year, and what will I need to do to get to that place? It’s a time to make resolutions and get going in a new direction.
In the church year, the seasons mark the touchstones of Christian life. The 4 weeks of Advent prepare us for the birth of Christmas. The quiet 12 days of Christmas prepare us for a time of growth and exploration that begins with Epiphany. The 6 weeks of Lent give us time to clear out the barriers that keep us from really following Jesus wherever he leads. The 50 days of Easter help us know the risen Lord, and the long season of Pentecost helps us perfect our walk toward holiness and share the Good News in our lives with others.
There is a season for everything. A time to listen to angels, pregnant with the possibilities of new life within us. A time to give birth to new dreams. A time to accept gifts from strangers. A time to grow and explore our own ministry. A time to reflect and redirect ourselves toward the real destination. A time to enter the room with shouts and acclamations. A time to be scorned and rejected. A time to rise up with a new sense of purpose. A time to share the love you have found with everyone you meet. And a time to start the cycle all over again, in a new place on the path.
The seasons come and go. We can either jump in and live them with intention and zeal, or just let them happen. The choice is ours.
