I grew up in northern Ohio. I keep
telling people that I’m not a fan of
winter, and here I sit not even
halfway through ours, and find
myself grumbling. If we had snow
here like I had growing up, I
promise you I would have moved
further south a long time ago. As I
age, I find myself growing increasingly jealous of those
folks we affectionally call “snow birds.” Winter. Who
needs it? Yuk.
Ecclesiastes 3 is a text most often used at funerals. There,
we are reminded that everything has a time. Everything
has a season. These seasons are beautiful in God’s eyes. If
I were stuck in my winter thinking, I’d probably gripe
because I have my doubts that God ever shoveled snow or
salted a sidewalk or called off church services because it
was too deep.
It is usually at the height of my outbursts of complaint
that the passage mentioned above creeps to the front of
my mind and I have to eat my words. The NRSV chooses
the word “suitable,” “He has made everything suitable for
its time” (3:11a). Suitable? Winter? Seriously?
In a recent phone call to my Mom, she repeated
something she has told me for years: “It is in the winter
that a lot of germs are killed, which is very helpful for us.”
I’d rather use a spray or hand sanitizer than shiver for 2 or
3 months, but it does make sense. Additionally, anyone
who has ever worked the land for a living knows full well
the value of the earth’s season of rest. The land needs
time to recover from a growing season. Rest is essential,
even for our planet.
A time of rest is a time
to reflect. While many
ministries continue
running in high gear at
Kilmarnock Baptist
Church, this is a time to
catch your breath, and
prepare your hearts and minds for a new season that is on
the way. Reflect on KBC’s identity and beliefs. Ponder
what drives you. Consider God’s calling for your church.
Be inspired by God’s leadership. Put God’s call into action.
This is what I am teaching with the FOCUS program. Our
next session will be February 18. The JOY group will
provide chili for that day, so bring your appetite, maybe
some beano, and be prepared to have honest and open
conversations about this church’s passions based on your
identity and beliefs. You will be fascinated and blessed by
what you can come up with as a church family.
If it snows that day, I’ll be in a terrible mood, but you
already knew that.
Dave
