“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1
Growing up one of the popular songs that played on the radio was “Turn, Turn, Turn” sung by The Byrds. You can still hear it on radio stations and in many churches as the song’s lyrics are from the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes. You can find them in chapter 3 verses 1 – 8.
Here is a link to the song if you would like to listen to it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4ga_M5Zdn4
So whether we read the scripture verse or listen to the song what we will hear is a timeless message that speaks deeply to our hearts. There is a time to be born and there is also a time to die. There is a time for planting and there is also a time when what we have planted needs to be uprooted. There is a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to search and a time to give up…and when you finish reading the passage we understand life has seasons…some are wonderful and some are hard. And whether we are in a good time or bad, they both bring changes.
So the question becomes: How do you feel about change? And be honest with yourself as you answer that question. I think for most the answer would be “it depends.” If I am a bride getting ready to marry the man I love or a new mom or dad holding my child for the first time…then the change would be considered a good one. If I am sitting at the bedside of a loved one who is dying or sitting as my boss is telling me I am being fired or “downsized”…then the change is heartbreaking. I am sure you can think of many other scenarios that you all have been through in your own life that brought changes…changes that were good, bad, or a combination of the two.
I know that a couple weeks ago I posted another blog about change. Change seems to be heavy on my mind lately. While personally my life is staying relatively the same, it is also changing. My husband is retiring which is a good change. It will give him the freedom to do the things he enjoys and not be so stressed. I will turn (gulp) 60 in November of this year. I am REALLY not sure how I feel about that change! Although to be honest, growing older is a privilege many do not get to experience. I continue to help Mom and Dad and that roll will grow – while I love being able to help them I can’t say the changes I see are ones I like. Our church is getting ready to merge with another church and the changes are exciting but it also means they are not exciting for some. It is bittersweet for those who will begin worshipping in their “new” church after closing their home church. Change…it happens.
The one thing we can control through all the changes that will come our way throughout our life is our attitude toward changes. We can grumble, complain, and be miserable or we can see the changes as a new adventure, a new leg in this journey we call life. How we respond is entirely up to each one of us. One thing we can hold onto through any change we experience is God.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
Wherever you go, whatever you encounter, through every change, one thing remains: God – I find great comfort in that knowledge. I hope you do too.
Peace,
Beth
Beth's Blog 