A Time for Everything...

It’s OCTOBER! Can you believe it? There is nothing like the crispness of the air and the falling leaves of autumn to signal that change is in process.

Change is hard, though. We get used to certain ways and we like them! There is comfort and stability in the familiar. We know what to expect and can plan our reactions…at least we like to think we can. But change is not to be avoided. It is all around: in nature, in family, in work, in faith fellowships, and in us.

I find myself turning to Ecclesiastes when I think about change. Chapter three tells us there is “a time for everything.” The Amplified Bible translation says, “There is a season (a time appointed) for everything and a time for every delight and event or purpose under heaven” (verse 1). When applied to change, we find it adds some interesting caveats to think about!

Verses two through eight elaborate:

“A time to be born and a time to die;

A time to plan 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 away stones and a time to gather stones;

A time to embrace and a time to refrain from 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 keep silent and a time to speak.

A time to love and a time to hate;

A time for war and a time for peace.”

Every time I read these verses, I have new questions for sure. But I also find much comfort. To realize that the world has its ebbs and flows, just like the ocean tides, seems to provide a sense of stability amidst change.

I often laughingly say that my life is lived with “my feet firmly planted in midair.” While sameness is certainly comfortable and desirable, flexibility and resilience are the foundation for a successful, reasonable (and interesting) life. Learning to relax in the middle of change is not easy. Resting on God’s promises can be challenging as well. I think Dr. Mark Hale’s Godly definition of optimism offers us help in dealing with change. “Optimism is the unwavering expectation that our loving God is working every situation for our future good.” That aligns with God’s Word in Ecclesiastes 3:11 – “He has made everything beautiful and appropriate in its time” (Amplified Bible).

May you find peace, hope, rest, and life in this season of change.