My guys were complaining that summer is almost over. “Why does summer go so fast and school time lasts forever?” I did not get into a discussion of how many seasons a school year encompasses. But I did explain that good times are easy while school requires more of our attention, focus, and endurance.

As adults, we too can often experience that the good times pass quickly while difficult periods seem to linger. While no one likes to experience hard times, both situations are a part of our lives. In fact, we often learn more during difficult times than the easy.

Quolet (author of Ecclesiastes) wrote:

“There is a time for everything…a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance… God has made everything fitting in its time, but has also placed eternity in their hearts…” Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 (11a)

While our lives are in this continual rhythm, our faith provides the comfort that nothing lasts forever. We can choose to look beyond what we are currently experiencing to what God can bring in our future.

Paul comforts his people in Romans 8:28:

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

We are not ebbing and flowing alone. God is always working on our behalf to grow us in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. It takes all of our experiences to live our lives fully and it takes all of our faith to allow them to mature us in God’s time.

Blessing,
Pastor Carol