“For everything there
is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven…” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, NRSV)
I have been dwelling on this phrase for a while now. It seems to me to be the epitome of what I
have been going through over recent weeks (months? years?). With the advent of this new adventure
(interesting how those two words share the same root word!) I have found myself
pondering what life is like in stages.
In the infancy stage, we are just learning what all we can do. We learn to walk, talk, run, play. We make friends, and we grow up. In the adolescent stage, we learn about boundaries – those that are imposed upon us by those who care for us, and the ones that we come to know as our own. We learn what we can do, and what we cannot do. And we make more friends. In our young adult years, and even into midlife, we begin to stretch those boundaries, and become more daring. We settle into a life path that we hope will take us where we want to go. We make a few friends that we know will not only last, but will sustain us during those difficult times in life that invariably come to all of us. And we become that kind of friend to others.
But then something happens.
And we aren’t sure why, or how, but we are changed. Not quite so daring, not quite so bold, but
wiser. More mature. And we find ourselves settling into a path of
strength and wisdom that is not based on worldly ways. Our relationships that we’ve made have become
holier than mere family. And we submit
to a voice that is quieter than most, but more eternal. And that voice shares with us that we are to
take our next steps in true faith.
Perhaps much of this reflection has come to me as I prepare to watch my baby daughter (who is now 18 years of age, and a beautiful young woman) walk across the stage of her high school graduation. I know that she will be moving away to college in a few months, and then in a few years, she will be starting her new life out in the world. I have been privileged to have been near her for these (very fast) eighteen years – a time and a season. And while I shall miss the times of the little girl who used to ask me to play with the plastic Easter eggs on the coffee table, or watch and listen to her as she played with her Barbie Dolls in her bedroom, I look forward with great anticipation all the wonderful things she will see and do in her life ahead.
We are here, but for a time and a season. We have the opportunity to influence others,
as we ourselves are influenced by others.
But then we move on. New faces
come, new friends are made, and others walk with us down the journey of life
that we call faith.
I have been privileged to work alongside you in God’s
vineyard of Canyon Lake United Methodist Church. I shall miss our laughter, our tears, our
work, our hopes and dreams, and even (dare I say it?) the meetings! But I shall look forward with great
anticipation all the wonderful things that you will see and do with your great
new pastor, Rev. Andy Tyson. I know he
will lead you faithfully into the future, and into places and ministries that I
cannot begin to fathom. My time and my
season with you is drawing to a close.
But your time and your season is just beginning.
And it will be good and Holy. And Spectacular!
See you in Church!
Grace and peace,
Brad
