Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, ESV“To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break 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 cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.”
For the past twelve years, at the beginning of every year, I have slipped away to a quiet place, opened my Bible, and read these verses from the book of Ecclesiastes. Then I have carefully pondered each season over the prior year.
I came to see that each year brought joy and strength, and each year brought sorrow and pain. Each year brought growth, but also decay. There was a time to keep silent and a time to speak, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to keep, and a time to cast away. Each year brought every matter referenced in these words.
But these verses never were so profound to me until this past year when my dad died and I saw how fragile and precious life really is. It never hit home until I read that my high school friend passed away from cancer, and another took her life, and she never knew the Lord. In one year, there were losses in our family, but also several births. There were changes I could never have predicted, some with laughter and some with tears. And there were challenges that took me by surprise, some requiring a breaking down, and some with promises of building up anew. I was experiencing every matter, all in one year. Some days were exciting and easy, some days were gloomy and hard, but I delighted in it all, for I knew that God had purposes for every one of these matter under heaven and I wanted to know them, grow by them, and learn to love and trust Him more.
God has been teaching me the value of life more clearly–but not my life–the value of the life of Jesus Christ, the life He shed for me, the life He bought for me, and the life He now lives for Me. “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Because He lives, all fear is gone. Because I know He holds the future. And life is worth the living just because He lives (song by Bill Gaither).
Over the past eight months, radical changes have occurred in our family and circle of friends. Some understand why we chose life on a boat. Some do not. But that’s to be expected; not all of us are going to agree on everything at all times. It is what God is calling us to do that is most important. It is how we are living for Him that counts. It is going where He leads us that matters. It is the fruit we are bearing for His glory that holds weight. And it is doing what He wills that must be the primary focus of our lives.
So, we sold everything–our home, half of our belongings, things we haven’t used in years, things we rarely use, and things we’ve been holding onto that we just don’t need. And we bought a catamaran. We moved onto a boat, which is now our earthly home—at least until the Lord has us settle down on land again, wherever that may be. We’re resting on the promises in the verse that says,
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5-6
Whatever season God takes us through has purpose. The question is, will we open our eyes to see what He is wanting to accomplish. Will we allow God to use us, mold us, and refine us in our varying seasons in life. No matter what lays ahead of us, God is present and He will lead us through it. May we use it all for the purpose and praise of His glory.
On our journey thus far, we have seen many of God’s purposes for us fulfilled. Our faith has been strengthened and we have developed a deeper fear of God than we ever had before. We have gained a greater awe of His creation and a stronger marriage bond together. God has used us to share His love and truth with countless people we have met along the way, and He has moved us to develop discipling relations with many. We have been tested and tried and have learned obedience through the things we’ve suffered. We have become more humble as we have sought God to meet our daily needs. The list of His fulfilled purposes could go on.
This season has been wonderful because God has been in it and will continue to be in it. And we are trusting Him to lead it. His purposes are being fulfilled as we look to Him to conform us into the image of His Son.
