Pastor's Corner

September is here, and you can always tell when September arrives because the calendar suddenly develops an attitude. June says, “Relax.” July says, “Take your time.” August says, “Enjoy yourself.” September says, “Okay, everybody back to work!”

The flip-flops are being replaced by schedules. Vacation pictures are still being posted, but the calendar is already filling up with meetings, appointments, activities, and enough reminders to make you wonder how you ever had time to relax in the first place.

And then there’s that sobering realization: Christmas is 115 days away. Yes, I know. Let’s not talk about it.

September also reminds us that life moves in seasons. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” Some seasons are busy. Some are quiet. Some are exciting. Some are difficult. And some seem to involve an awful lot of laundry. But every season has something God can use.

We often wish we could skip the difficult seasons and get straight to the good ones. But God doesn’t waste seasons. He can use the waiting season, the rebuilding season, the growing season, and even the season when we’re simply trying to keep up with everything on our calendar.

September is a good time to ask: What season am I in—and what does God want to teach me here? Maybe this is a season to begin something new; to let go of something old; to slow down; to serve; or it’s simply a season to trust God one day at a time.

The good news is that God is present in every season. We don’t have to have everything figured out.

So as September begins, let’s not simply ask, “What do I have to do?” Let’s ask, “What is God doing?” Because while we’re busy filling up the calendar, God may be busy filling our lives with opportunities to grow, serve, encourage, forgive, love, and make a difference.

And if September already feels too busy, remember: God created time. He never said you had to fill every minute of it.

Have a blessed September—and may God give us the wisdom to know when to say “yes,” the courage to say “no,” and the good sense to check the calendar before agreeing to anything!

Glen