I was having a conversation with a friend in our church years ago. The church was looking to change Sunday morning worship times. Our purpose was to provide more opportunities for people we were serving and attempting to reach. My friend smiled and said, “I think we should stay at 11 am, just as it is written in the New Testament!” We had a good laugh and were reminded that we still had our traditions and often did know their origins. I had always heard that 11am and 7 pm many years ago were the best times because farmers and ranchers could complete their daily tasks and go to Bible Study and Worship.
Our churches and our individual lives go through various times and seasons. It may be growth, decline, stagnation, renewal or any number of things. We speak of the seasons of life: birth, toddlers, children, teens, young, middle age, and senior adults. They all have their unique characteristics.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 contains the truth of “times and seasons.” “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.” A thorough representative list follows: a time to be born and to die; a time to weep and laugh; a time to gain and lose; a time of war and peace, to name a few. Season and time remind us of an appointed time, while purpose speaks to the matter of what we do with our time.
What season are you in your life? In your church? What is your purpose in this season? What matters? Our Lord not only shows us what matters but gives us strength to serve in various ways. I am writing of spiritual, not physical, strength. For instance, in this summer season there are Vacation Bible Schools, camps, Super Summer, mission trips, and local ministries being performed. To be effective, everyone has a part whether physically serving. providing resources or praying for the presence and power of God in this season.
One thing we know—change is all around us. Yet, there is the same Jesus yesterday, today, and forever. May we serve Him with all that we have and all that we are during this season. We know our purpose is to know Him and make Him known to others. May the Lord bless you in this season.