There Is A Season . . .
Sometimes in the midst of the gloomy gray of fall, the solemnity of the Lenten season, the anticipation of Spring Break, and the busy hubbub of life, we need perspective. Not that sort of “me-first” mentality so often preached in popular culture. Not the “cover it with bling” attitude that says substance does not matter as long as the packaging looks good, and – as much as I love Disney — not even the Hakuna Matata message of just relax and let go. We need real perspective, a kind of view that helps us understand the highs and lows of life, the tragedies and triumphs, the good and not so glorious days. We need the promise of resurrection, the warmth of spring, and the comfort of rest. We need to turn to God. His message, His advice, His perspective may help to lighten our load and offer some color in the midst of gray. While many places of Scripture can speak to our needs, I turn to Ecclesiastes 3. You know the verse…the one made popular in a 1960’s song . . . The one quoted often . . . the one that reminds us that everything has its season.
Through my many years at Reitz Memorial High School — as teacher, parent, and principal — I often follow the circular sequence of events. I know what to expect with the start of the year; I know the schedule, and I plan accordingly. But perhaps that first verse of Ecclesiastes 3 reminds us that our time is not always God’s time. “There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens.” God does not guarantee that the timing will be convenient or expected, but He does declare that it is set. And who sets this master calendar? He does. We can trust in that. And since God is good, we know that His timing is perfect . . . even if we don’t see it at the moment.
Perhaps the greatest comfort, though, comes in the verses that follow. God acknowledges that life may not always run smoothly, beautifully, with sunshine and rainbows. Instead, He sees the reality of balance. We will rejoice in births and healing; we will start anew, grow and rebuild. We will laugh, dance, seek and embrace. We will love. What a joy to do these things as part of the Memorial High School community. These moments form memories that warm our hearts.
But we, as believers, must also accept the other side. True joy comes not from living in the good moments, never facing crisis, and always enjoying the sun. Real joy comes from within, and it is that joy -- that faith -- in the appointed timing of God that helps us endure the dark days: a time to die, a time to uproot, a time to weep, a time to mourn, a time to lose, a time to hate. In the silence of these times, we must speak with kindness toward one another. We must sew bonds that unite us as family, and we must gather together with other believers, other members of the MHS community, and, in the presence of God, we pray, worship, and sing.
As we prepare to close another year, say good-bye to graduates, recharge over the summer, and embark on a new adventure — with new students, new classes, new goals — we find peace in God’s perfect timing. We find comfort in knowing that while some things change — our philosophy, our mission, the legacy of who we are, and the strength of our community — many things stay the same. Together we face whatever comes our way, trusting in the timing, depending on one another, and relaxing in a joy that says for everything, there is a season.
