For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. - Ecclesiastes 3:1
One of my favorite books of the Bible is Ecclesiastes. It teaches us so much about this world and how to live in it as we consider eternity. The book helps us to see that everything matters because everything is fleeting. We go through different seasons of life; we may like some more than others, but every season is special because it is only there for a little while.
We see this clearly as we drop off our kids to college or kindergarten. As we love our parents as they age. As we pack up our belongings and head to another part of the country. As we start a new Community Group and leave our old one behind. My prayer is we don’t have to wait for that ending of the old and the beginning of the new to appreciate the season we are in. Instead, and I believe this is what Ecclesiastes is urging us to do, we live in the season we are in leaning on Jesus, learning, and growing and enjoying all that he has in store for us during that time. Yes, through the good and the bad.
Redeemer, we are only here on this earth for a little while, we are only at Redeemer for a little while, we are only surrounded by the people the Lord has placed us with for a little while. Let us take advantage of the season the Lord has placed us in as we shine the light of the Gospel wherever we go. And then one day, we will celebrate Jesus for all eternity with those in Christ who were with us throughout every season of life, together.
I am praying for those who are starting school this month. Let’s pray for those who are moving out to go to school. That they would get connected to some great churches and take advantage of the season they are in for the Gospel. Let’s pray for those parents who are sending their kids off to school, that they would be comforted in Christ and that they would continue to have a desire to be a part of the Lord’s church (transition times are difficult times for people to continue in church). And let’s pray for our students who are in school in the area (K-12), that the Lord would protect them and use them to share the hope they have.
Thank you to all who are serving as teachers this year in the school system. It is a sweet blessing to know we have so many at Redeemer who are using their gifts to love the kids of this area to the Gospel. I pray you will have a great year shining for Jesus however you can.
~Pastor Carmona