The Constancy of Change Part 1

Life is almost never static. Change is an integral part of life cycles, aging, vocations, callings within vocations/avocations, and relationships. Change can be scary and often painful. But it also is crucial for growth and a fulfilling life. How do we know when and what change to embrace and how to embrace it? This is what we are going to explore.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-9 says: 

1 For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven:

2 a time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to pluck up what 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 throw away stones and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing;

6 a time to seek and a time to lose; a time to keep and a time to throw away;

7 a time to tear and a time to sew; a time to keep silent and a time to speak;

8 a time to love and a time to hate; a time for war and a time for peace.

New Revised Standard Version (NRSV, emphasis added)

Let’s pause a bit to digest this. 

Note, there is a time and a season for every matter. Trusting in God’s timing and sensing it are skills we are called to develop. We are to patiently wait for God’s timing and practice embarking, embracing, or releasing what we need to in that time—not lagging nor running ahead. This is a red light/yellow light/green light concept.

A little harder to get a grip on is the concept of seasons. A new season is something that transitions over time periods of your life. Sometimes when you are in a new season, you can sense it but not specifically know what is going on. When this happens, the best thing is to seek God to see if what is happening is of Him or not (or a mixed bag). 

When we know what is of God, the wisest, ultimately least painful route is to yield to Him, trusting in His goodness, but resisting what is not of Him. Ultimately all of this involves trust. The question, “Can I trust You here, God?”—this is what we need to grapple with on a heart level, not just an intellectual level. And He will help us do that. 

Let’s take some time to meditate on what is revealed in Ecclesiastes as times and seasons:

• Being born vs. Dying 
• Planting vs. Plucking up
• Killing vs. Healing
• Breaking down vs. Building up
• Weeping and mourning vs. Laughing and dancing
• Throwing away stones vs. Gathering stones together
• Embracing vs. Refraining from embracing
• Seeking vs. Losing
• Keeping vs. Throwing away
• Tearing vs. Sewing
• Keeping silent vs. Speaking
• Love vs. Hate
• War vs. Peace

Much of this is poetic, and we need to interpret this from the right lens of the true nature of God, what He has for His kids, and how He leads us through life. 

Other than the obvious being physically born and dying, understand that God invites us into eternal life, and that death is an enemy of God. With this being said, there are things in us/others that do need to die/be killed off/be broken down/be plucked up/torn off/warred against. These include agreements with lies, darkness, fear, and destructive patterns that violate Love—all the works of the flesh (Gal. 5:19-21). All of these are not in line with who we truly are. This is why we are being conformed into the image of Love. We are to hate and war with what is evil but cling and protect and heal what is good. Romans 12:9 in The Passion Translation says:

Let the inner movement of your heart always be to love one another, and never play the role of an actor wearing a mask. Despise evil and embrace everything that is good and virtuous. TPT (emphasis mine)

Let’s be clear—we are not to despise people. We are to forgive and bless and love our enemies. Jesus said in Matthew 5:43–44, 

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’

44 But I say to you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

 NRSV (emphasis added)

This is a process and may take a long time or even a lifetime to do. But God empowers us, and this is when we are being our truest selves as sons/daughters of God—when we are the most free and alive!

Most of the other things are self-explanatory. However, one of the more curious seasons is: Throwing away stones vs. Gathering stones together. There are multiple nuances here. Stones represent many things. 

Negative connotations include: 

• the flesh
• a hardened/dead heart
• a blockage of the heart
• the law of Moses
• death
• a stumbling offense
• a negative witness
• judgment 
• Positive connotations include: 
• Jesus Christ/God
• A positive witness
• a memorial of what God has done
• So, what does this mean?

We are to throw away stones of the flesh, things that harden our hearts, tyranny under the Law of Moses, things that bring death, our offenses against God/people/ourselves, condemnation, and judging one another. 

We are to gather, embrace, treasure, and memorialize all things that are of God, those who witness on our/others’ behalf, and the things that God has done on our/others’ behalf. 

All of this is not easy. Sometimes we want to hold onto an old season, self-justified attitude, or pet behavior that God is asking us to release. Sometimes it takes a while. God will not rip something out of our grasp. But He also will not relent from leading us to do what is good for us and others. AND He always empowers what He asks!

Ultimately, whatever God asks you to release will be for your ultimate benefit, or He will redeem whatever seems lost with even a greater upgrade. Here is where trusting God is the issue. Whenever you are struggling, have heart-to-heart, honest (even if it is angry) conversation with the Lord. Keep on engaging! He will help you!

Ecclesiastes 3:11 says: 

He has made everything beautiful and appropriate in its time. He has also planted eternity [a sense of divine purpose] in the human heart [a mysterious longing which nothing under the sun can satisfy, except God]—yet man cannot find out (comprehend, grasp) what God has done (His overall plan) from the beginning to the end.

Amplified Bible (AMP, emphasis added)

God has a supernatural way to redeem and beautify. Truly, God redeems:

1 He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,

3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
the oil of joy instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.

Isaiah 61:1b and 3 

New International Version (NIV, emphasis added)

Song of Songs 2:10–11 and 13 peels forth in poetry of Christ toward His bride/dearest friend:

10 The one I love calls to me:

Arise, my dearest. Hurry, my darling. Come away with me! 

I have come as you have asked to draw you to my heart and lead you out.

For now is the time, my beautiful one.

11 The season has changed, the bondage of your barren winter has ended, and the season of hiding is over and gone.

The rains have soaked the earth. 

13 Can you not discern this new day of destiny breaking forth around you? The early signs of my purposes and plans are bursting forth. The budding vines of new life are now blooming everywhere. The fragrance of their flowers whispers, “There is change in the air.” Arise, my love, my beautiful companion, and run with me to the higher place. For now is the time to arise and come away with me. 

     TPT (emphasis mine)

God always has purpose, ultimate healing, and beauty in each time and season of your life. So, what is God doing in this season in your life? What is it time for right now? Spend some time with Him, and He will show you.

I would love to hear and stand with you in it!

Much Love, 

Catherine