Our church is going through a re-structuring process. It’s been called a merger. It’s been called an adoption. What it’s not been called is “easy”. Without going into all the details, there will be a vote among the congregation to confirm whether we will merge with another church. Many people, including myself, have woulda-coulda-shoulda-ed the situation to death. As a result, there’s a dark cloud over the church. And that really sucks because church had been my safe place, a place where the normal rules of the world don’t apply, a drama-free zone. I guess that I was being naive in my thoughts because we are sinners, being led by sinners, in a sinful, fallen world. Under those circumstances, one of my friends asked, “What could go wrong?”
It’s times like this when I’m inspired by Ecclesiastes 3, 1-8.
There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
I’m also inspired when I realize that Jesus is still on the throne. While we have to deal with sin, he’s the reason we don’t have to live under its power. When we seek his will, not our own wills, things work out for the best. It all belongs to Jesus anyway.
I just absolutely love your sweet spirit!!!