Koinonia: June Edition
There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven - A time to give birth and a time to die; A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted. A time to kill and a time to heal; A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance. A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing. A time to search and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear apart and a time to sew together; 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 (Ecclesiastes 3:1–8).
Yes, there is a time for everything. These beautiful words were penned by the wise King Solomon, late in his days. He had been to the mountain top and valley low. He had lived through reward and consequence of both Godly and carnal choices made, now sitting back and reflecting upon the very seasons of life. All the seasons that Solomon lists involve some pretty significant changes in life:
Birth and death change family dynamics.
Planting and uprooting changes the landscape.
Killing and healing changes what can grow.
Tearing down and building up changes our priorities.
Weeping and laughing changes our emotional climate.
Mourning and dancing change our emotional culture.
Throwing and gathering stones changes our investment in others.
Embracing and shunning changes our attitude towards others.
Searching and giving up changes our goals.
Keeping and throwing away changes our priorities.
Tearing apart and sewing together changes our community dynamic.
Silence and speaking out change the way others see us.
Love and hate change our heart.
War and peace change our ability to heal.
Yes, perhaps the greatest constant in life is change. Yet there are also some great constants in our lives, if we nourish them. When cultivated, the bonds between family and friends stay with us through thick and thin. Even more, we have our salvation through Christ. Yet this relationship, too, must be nurtured. We must stay true in our prayer life, our discipleship, and our service. We must stay true to one another. The Lord never intended us to walk this path alone, and so He gave us one another, the Church. My prayer is that in the midst of all life’s changes, we will hold true to the koinonia we have as a church family. May we encourage and guide each other as we seek to fulfill the work that God gives us; for together we can overcome any obstacles that come our way.
-- Pastor Justin
