Everything Has Its Time
3 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
2 a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
3 a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to throw away;
7 a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, NRSV.)
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These timeless words are as true today as they were when an unknown author penned them over 2,300 years ago. There is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. The happy moments often feel too fleeting while the difficult periods, like an unwelcome and uninvited stranger, seem never to leave. God never promised we would avoid suffering and pain; Jesus assured us we will never be alone. While the shutdowns of 2020 descended upon us like a thief in the night, 2021 provided a new hope as we returned to in-person worship, education, mission, and fellowship. This past year often felt like the old adage about Missouri weather, “If you don’t like it, just wait five minutes, and it will change.” As we deal with another surge in the pandemic, I am thankful our members are committed “not to grow weary in doing what is right” (Galatians 6:9, NRSV.) We’ve journeyed through just about every season together in 2021, but we never walked these days alone.
The year began as the previous year ended with nearly everything online with a few outdoor activities mixed in. The widespread availability of vaccines allowed us to open up the sanctuary for in-person worship in midMay, and it was a joy to see so many faces I had not seen for over a year. We transitioned from prerecorded video to livestreaming all of our Sunday services, and I am especially thankful for the dedication of our Technology Team in making sure everyone is able to worship together. We adopted a “both/and” approach to other aspects of our church life as well with hybrid classes and meetings. This new normal is here to stay, and I appreciate the work of so many in our congregation in adopting these inclusive tools.
There are too many individuals and groups to thank in this message, but please know I am grateful for each and every one of you. I know there is a time for everything, and some seasons will bring unimaginable heartbreak, unyielding melancholy, and unexpected disappointment. However, I also know we worship the God who created, redeemed, and renewed time through the work of Jesus Christ. The One who led us this far will safely lead us home.
In Hope and Confidence, Pastor Dave
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