TIME FOR EVERYTHING
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:
Ecclesiastes 3:1
"There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens." I admire those that blazed the trail before us, way before us. Those that sailed from the homeland, wherever that may have been to arrive here in order to start a new season. I admire those that share their wisdom with others. This scripture is a great example of sharing wisdom, it's full of truth.
Over the years, I have discovered that we are a funny species in that we run here and run there, in fact, we seem to run everywhere. We run to participate in this activity and we run to participate in that activity and we run until we cannot run anymore. There seems to be a new level of social status when we are running to so many places to participate in whatever it may be. The more you run, the higher the social status. Now, when I say run here and run there, I'm referring to driving. If I physically run, it's because of a big dog chasing me. We are a very busy species and we do not want to miss out on anything that is available; a party here, a football game there, doctor's appointment on this day, music practice, sports practice, then there is homework, grocery store shopping, cooking diner, washing clothes, cleaning house, walking the dog, work, school, boyfriend or girlfriend and don't forget to call Grandma. And then there is sleep, or lack of sleep.
Where is this "Time for Everything' that the scripture talks about? Personally, I usually run out of time in a day and I haven't experienced any leftover time. I think that the author is saying that there is time for everything but you cannot do two things at the same time, it creates a conflict. For example, you cannot plant and harvest at the same time. I'm not sure how it may turn out to mourn and dance at the same time. And for today, it would be difficult to attend football practice and do homework while you are doing burpees. It seems that our time is spent where our focus may be during that particular season. Now it is football season and we work hard throughout the week in order to catch the game on Friday night or to watch the games on Sunday. Soccer, football, dance, band practice, up late doing homework, getting up early to be at school on time, scouts, daily needs, run to here and run to there. These are the things that need to be done daily. But, what about God? Where does God enter into the picture, or faith formation, relationship building and growth in faith? A lot of the time, due to everything else that demands so much of our time, Sunday mornings provide a great time to sleep in, and catch up on some desperately needed rest. Or maybe Sunday afternoon is a good time to take a nap. Everyone needs some rest, and you can't get enough of that in this day and time.
Maybe we need to rearrange our time just a little bit differently. Maybe we need to add church to our list of things that we participate in and not just come to church once a quarter, not just once a month but on a very regular basis. What if we participated in worship on Sunday mornings and Youth on Sunday evenings, just to equip us so that we can get through all of the other things that we have to do during the week? What would it look like if we participated weekly in worship and youth and we built up the relationships with others that are going through the same thing that we are, looking for that "Time for everything"? I think that God gave us the time and God gave us the ability to enjoy time, it's us that crowds as much as we can in the time that we have. Our days are packed full, even into the night. There is the one thing missing in all of this; our time given back to God. Think about it for just a minute. On Sunday morning, if you had to get up to go to work, you would do just that. If you had to get up to go to school, you would do just that. Doesn't it make sense to do the same with it comes to spending our time in worship, growing in our faith, learning, experiencing and serving others because that's what we are called to do? If we are going to be like Christ, we have to participate.
So this is your invitation to give some time back to God, to grow, to learn, to experience and to make a difference in this world because of Christ. Take some time on Sunday and spend it at worship and at youth. It's time for the summer season to fade and for the fall and winter season to begin and we would like for you to be part of what is ahead. Take some time and join us and we will grow together in faith.
Peace, Mike