Focus

Be still and rest in the Lord.

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Read

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NRSV)

For 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 throw 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 throw 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.

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Reflect

Ever have one of those days when you think, “What else can happen?” Recently I did. Nothing had been going right all day. Then, close to the end of the day, a deer ran out in front of my van, and I hit it. I sat in my van, shaking, and watched as the deer limped into the woods. After taking a few deep breaths, I drove into a nearby church parking lot, got out of the van, and checked for damage. To my relief, there was only minor damage. As I returned to the car, a sense of peace and thankfulness came over me.

Through this experience, I was reminded of God’s words. God does not promise us that life will be easy. God does, however, tell us that there is a time for everything—good and bad. It was not my fault that it had been one of those days. It was simply life happening. The scripture reminds us that time and things that happen are not something over which we always have control.

Comfort can be in found in knowing that whether it is a joyous occasion or an extremely difficult time, God knows these things might happen and is there for us—anytime.

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Pray

God, thank you for being with us all the time. Remind us to trust you in all situations. Amen.

Go with God.

Gina Seeley is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Germantown in Germantown, Tennessee. She is currently serving as a volunteer Jr. High youth leader.