A Time and A Place

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

1. To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2. A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, a time to reap that which is planted;
3. A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4. A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5. A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6. A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7. A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8. A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

These words were made known to many of us by the group The Byrds, whose song, "Turn, Turn, Turn" was a hit in February, 1969. BONUS VIDEO included!



This song has been running through my head the past few weeks as we have packed up all our worldly belongings and moved from one home to another. There has been a time to weep, and a time to dance. There was a time to laugh and a time to mourn. There was a lot of time spent deciding what to keep and what to cast away. And believe me, there were many moments we felt as if we were in the spin cycle of a washing machine - turn, turn, turn! To everything, there is a season.

Not only is there a time for every purpose, but a place for everything, and for everything a place. I was amazed and more than a little bit nervous as I watched the movers put everything of ours in one truck. It looked like a giant Tetris game. But, somehow, it all fit. And when it was delivered to the house, thankful that it arrived safely, the question became, "Where are we gonna put all this stuff?" For 12 plus years, there was a place for all of this "stuff" in the old house. Where is that place going to be in the new one? And will we be able to find it when we need it?

The boxes were stacked in the garage, and we started in, one by one to empty them, and find a place for the contents of each. And, in time, we have found a place for most everything. Mind you, one of those places was the curb for the waste management professionals to take it from there. The good news is that we are moved in. My wife's goal of getting both cars in the garage by the end of December (ten days after we moved in) was met. We are glad to be home! To everything there is a place. To everything there is a season.

In the church, we find that there is a time for every purpose under heaven. There is a time to weep, a time to dance, a time to embrace, a time to plant, and a time to reap. There is a time. And there is also a place. St. Paul tells the church in Corinth about the wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit, knits us into the body of Christ, with a place for each gift we have, and for each gift, a place. You are a child of God. In the waters of baptism, God's promised Spirit is given. Sealed with the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever, you belong to God. Through the Spirit, you are a part of this community.

Today we find ourselves in this time and in this place. This is where God has brought us. There will be more turning, more times of sorrow and joy, more gathering together and casting away. In the midst of all the turning, yet another song comes to mind - "Simple Gifts" written by Elder Joseph

'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free

'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,

And when we find ourselves in the place just right,

'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.

When true simplicity is gain'd,

To bow and to bend we shan't be asham'd,

To turn, turn will be our delight,

Till by turning, turning we come 'round right.

May God bless us in our turning, to find the place just right.

Peace,

Pastor Charlie



 BONUS VIDEO #2