Life is Seasonal

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.”

Ecclesiastes 3:1

Welcome to Fall!!! It is a season of transition: from the warmth of summer to the chill of winter. We are accustomed to seasonal changes here in Minnesota. With the different seasons there are different activities: ice fishing in winter, planting in spring, picnics in summer, gathering produce in the fall.

The church year has seasons a well and those seasons are meant to represent different events/stages of our lives: Advent = Hope, Christmas = Birth, Epiphany = Growth, Lent = Hardships, and Easter = New Life / Resurrection.

Congregations have seasons as well. We don’t often think about the lifecycle of a congregation, but we also go through seasons. In them, as a congregation is formed, there is a season of growth and excitement. There are seasons where we focus on paying off the mortgage. There are seasons of security just as there are seasons of transition. Often there is a season to catch up with maintenance of the property. In some cases there is a season of down-sizing which often results in a season of cooperation or collaboration with a neighboring congregation.

As Christians, we call ourselves Easter People! This is our prime season because we have a deep, heart-felt belief in the promise of Easter. Death is not the final word, loss and hardship do not have the final say. Through the power of God, resurrection has the final word. God’s work on earth will not perish. God’s word will not fall to the ground. Through all seasons God’s love will prevail.

Psalm 30:5b, “…weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” JOY!!!!

Thanks be to God!