Falling Into Change

Without a doubt seasons change. This is true not only on the calendar but for each of our lives as well. This week, Wednesday (September 22nd) marks such a passage in time. We will welcome the Autumnal (or Fall) Equinox. 

This day could be perceived as when the darkness starts to win. I’m not giving that deep meaning, rather I giggle asI type it, because it’s the day when we start to have less illumination in our day – for the next three months, the number of hours of daylight will continue to grow shorter. 

Do not despair, it’s not all about darkness in growing cycles, Autumn gives us ripeness and maturity. The harvest season is associated with abundance, prosperity, wealth and maturity.

It’s part of our circle of life, the Sacred Hoop, another revolution along our shared path that if we choose to allow it can be a time of learning, growth and further development.

In the Scriptures,  the passage often referred to as “A Time For Everything”, outlines the many changing seasons we all experience in life. It outlines the constant cycle of “Becoming”. In fact 28 specific times or seasons are mentioned  in this one passage. 

Now on “Becoming Today”, as part of our examination of ourselves and our shared paths we’ll  take note that not included in those examples is a very important aspect;  none of the 28 mention a time to quit.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, is perhaps so revered and often quoted because of its poetic approach towards life. It balances 14 distinct elements we all experience at one time or another, and some more than once. It reinforces our constant state of Always Being “Becoming”.  

It teaches and reminds us that life is a mix of joy and sorrow, pleasure and pain, harmony and struggle, and life and death. Each season has its appropriate time. 

Some are difficult, and still we know that we must never give up and continue on in Faith, trusting in God, believing his plans for us are always based upon  good purposes and joyful outcomes. 

As the passage begins “There is a time for everything,…..”

Continuing on it moves to “a time to be born and a time to die,…” This is both literal and metaphoric. Life is a constant cycle of death and rebirth. We are constantly evolving, shedding our old identities and beginning anew as we continue “Becoming”.  

“A time to plant and a time to uproot,….” The seasons of planting and harvesting. What we plant in the Spring when nurtured becomes the harvest we can reap.

Other key notes for our path of “Becoming” include:

“a time to tear down and a time to build,…”  

Releasing the old, focusing on “Becoming”

“a time to weep and a time to laugh,…”  

Tears can be healing and laughter lifts our journeys. 

“a time to be silent and a time to speak,…” 

Listening is essential in communicating and when speaking we’ve in earlier discussions addressed the needs to choose our words carefully

While certainly all 28 seasons are relevant for us, these examples are I believe some simple examples to consider, ponder and reflect upon on your own path.

Included among the lessons learned in studying these verses is that we  are to accept each day as a gift from the hand of God because He has a reason and a time for all things. 

There is much wisdom to be gained in understanding this concept of 

“There is a time for everything, / and a season for every activity under the heavens.”

When we live our lives in faith we are “Becoming” our destinies as we comprehend and embrace the power in always trusting God. Our lives truly reveal their meaning and purpose when we rely on His wisdom, timing and goodness.

Much of “Becoming” involves embracing the need for change, it is the only way in which we can truly grow, develop and realize our potentials.  Life is a process. A repetitive one. We learn, grow, become then question, learn, grow and continue “Becoming”.

As we continue to walk this path together, tomorrow we’ll look at how both seasonal and personal changes involve a natural progression of time. Plus what we can do to make the most of that time.

So get ready for some questions and be willing to answer yourself truthfully. ‘Becoming Today” requires focus, concentration, dedication and hard work, but it only requires strengths we all have within us.