Welcome to Fall! Now that we’ve moved past the Labor Day holiday, we are at the start of experiencing all the stuff that goes with Fall. If you haven’t already, you’ll begin to notice cooler temperatures and soon you’ll likely see the trees starting to change colors. Also in the Fall season, we tend to lock into more consistent schedules and routines that go with school attendance and the sun setting earlier.
I’m grateful for the changing of seasons, as this reminds me about how life is never stationary nor static. While there are some things that don’t change, like death and taxes, much of life is transitory and we truly live a state of flux. Watching my kids grow into adulthood and feeling my body age reminds me that life is continually changing.
The Bible also speaks to the changing of seasons and times. If you read Ecclesiastes 3, you’ll note that the author identifies almost thirty actions and opposite actions that go with time. Take a moment to think about what this author is saying and where you are at in your life with these various times in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8:
There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven—
A time to give birth and a time to die; A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted.
A time to kill and a time to heal; A time to tear 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 stones and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing.
A time to search and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep and a time to throw away.
A time to tear apart and a time to sew together; A time to be silent and a time to speak.
A time to love and a time to hate; A time for war and a time for peace.
In thinking about these actions and their opposites, it’s important that we recognize the various times in our lives and the activities that go with those times. For example, now in my mid-50s, I’m appreciating that the athleticism of my 20s is no longer accessible. I need to choose exercise and sports that are more suitable for my age, flexibility, etc. I’m also aware that this season in my life is good for making strategic decisions for the upcoming years and looking for leverage points for the best returns on investments.
While we ponder the times and seasons of our lives, let’s also consider that there are some things that are timeless, never having just a season or limited application in our lives. To this end, forgiveness isn’t a season nor limited activity in our lives. It’s always the season and time to forgive because ultimately, we are the true beneficiaries of consistent forgiveness. Additionally, I think that learning is a good activity no matter the season in our lives. Indeed, some of the happiest people I know are life-long learners! Finally, genuine love isn’t just a season in our lives. If we consider that God is love (based on 1 John 4:8) and God is timeless, then love is timeless and not confined to seasons nor limited times in our lives. Happy September!
