A Season for Everything

Ecclesiastes 3 tells us that there is a time for everything. It doesn't name a specific season; but, for some reason, as much as I love this scripture year round; I seem to lean towards it more in the fall. There is something about the season, while it can be seen as the close or end to the summer sunshine and beach days; or the prelude to the long winter; autumn in its own right should be celebrated in all its glory!

While we might want to slow down; I think the crisp, chill in the air beckons us to wake up, venture out, and take part in the season! As much as we may have run our toes through the sand, built castles, swam in warm blue waters, or floated on the deck of a boat; fall offers so many ways to continue our dance with nature and the days that God has bestowed upon us!

The Ecclesiastes scripture verses are familiar to some, not from their reading of the Bible; but, rather from a popular song written in the late 1950's. Pete Seeger adapted the scripture verses into the song, sometimes known as "Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There is a Season); with the exception of the title and the last two lines of the song; the rest comes from the first 8 verses of Ecclesiastes 3. Originally released in 1962 as "To Everything There is a Season"; it later became an international hit in late 1965 when it was adapted by the American folk rock group, the Byrds.

The Scripture reads:

"There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven—

2 A time to give birth and a time to die; A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted. 3 A time to kill and a time to heal; A time to tear down and a time to build up. 4 A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance. 5 A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing. 6 A time to search and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep and a time to throw away. 7 A time to tear apart and a time to sew together; A time to be silent and a time to speak. 8 A time to love and a time to hate;

A time for war and a time for peace.

9 What profit is there to the worker from that in which he toils? 10 I have seen the task which God has given the sons of men with which to occupy themselves."

The song includes the refrain; "To everything - turn, turn, turn. There is a season - turn, turn, turn. And a time to every purpose under heaven." It ends, without the reference to "a time for war," and instead changes up the last part of verse 8 with "a time for peace; I swear its not too late." Fifty plus years later we still hold out hope, around the world, for that last line!

This isn't really a blog to educate you on scripture or American folk rock groups; instead it is to just have you think about the season in perhaps a little different way than simply leaves changing colors; watching and raking falling leaves; and well those many other fall'ish things we do. Instead, I want you to focus for a moment on the season as a time to turn to a new chapter in our own story.

I recently decided to take a chance on sharing, those things that pop into my head, as Instagram posts; whether anyone will read them or be inspired, I can only hope; but, if they reach one person somehow, in a positive way, then it was worth taking the chance! This is the one that happened to find its way in as I was outside and realized that the crisp chill of fall actually energizes me to want to do a million little things! I find fall a time to reflect on what I've done the past months with my life; how I've spent my days. Reflecting can sometimes be a scary thing; but when you look at how the colors reflect on the water in the light of day; or see the streams of light as they splash warm glows of color on the landscape; you can't feel a peace and calm.

Why not let that peace and calm fill you as you think about the chapters you have recently written; not, to worry about them, not to wish you could go back and edit; but, to learn from them. In learning, think how you can go into this new season writing a chapter where you can be the central character and it's about you! Know it's not selfish, but maybe this season of change is really God's way of saying, this is your chance to think about what you can change; what you can turn around. Looking towards a direction you didn't think you could go.

Exhale and let your mind fill with the possibilities. The season is showing change right before your eyes; the chill in the air wakes you up to pay attention; it is not a season of endings, it is not a season to prepare for a long winter's slumber; it is a time to write that new chapter in your story. Don't fear what lies ahead; God has already written the outline for the next chapter. Take that pause and listen to what He is saying. What do you hear from those you look to, seek out? Those, He has sent your way, for a reason. Take their hand and walk on that path He has stretched out before you. Walk in confidence, butterflies don't have to mean nerves and fear; they can be flutters of excitement knowing that there is a reason, a season, for everything He has placed before you, under heaven!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you, and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." -Jeremiah 29:11

Wishing you crisp fall walks; hot cocoa, blankets, and books; tall cups o' joe and friendly chats to warm your days and fill the season with the awakening it was intended to bring!