There is a time for everything.

Many people talk about human life in terms of four seasons. Season of Birth – spring; season of growth and work –summer; season of harvest and enjoyment –autumn; season of decline and death/RIP –winter. There is a time for birth, work, play, and eternal rest.

It has been said that there are four seasons to a man's life, different from women.

1.There is the time when he believes in Santa Claus

2.There is the time when he no longer believes in Santa Claus

3.There is the time when he acts as Santa Claus.

4.There is the time when he looks like Santa Claus.

From these passages in Ecclesiastes we learn that there is time for everything and everything changes in this life. Therefore, we understand that as changes come, we must adjust to the ever-changing seasons of life. We can do this graciously with great gain as we look to our heavenly Father for aid and guidance.

Let us focus on the truth found here in our text today.

I. We must know that the seasons of life bring change and purpose to us in God's grand scheme (v. 1). “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” I believe timing is so important in life.

“Being in the right place at the right time.” Driving test inspector who was upset to begin with…Meeting Kurt at a fire house dedication service…meeting our custodian outside of our education building. Putting on a fire fighting gears with my friend Ilyas.

A. All of life, including human activity, is part of a determined cycle of life.

1. Notice what the writer lists first. A time to be born. Everything that comes after birth is what we experience in the events of life.

2. To everything there is a season.

We all experience the seasons of life or the changes that occur in their own time, whether we enjoy them or not. We love some of the changes and we can dread other changes. For example, we love the season of laughing or times of joy, but on the other hand, we do not enjoy the seasons of weeping. Yet, God has something good to teach us in all the seasons of life we must face. You and your family have experienced the changes that make you rejoice and the changes that bring you sorrow. The important thing to remember is that God is with us to bring good to us from all that we experience.

Paul reminds us of this great truth in Romans 8: 28, where he states, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." We must understand that God is always working in our behalf to ultimately bring good to us in all that we experience. We may not understand how He will do this, but we do understand that He has promised to do it, and we know He is omniscient and omnipotent. Therefore, he is able to fulfill His promise.

3. We know that God is sovereign as we experience life's changes.

God in His sovereignty, allows for the willing decisions and choices of humans, while all the time retaining His control. The crucifixion serves as a good example. God determined Christ would come and atone for sinners before the foundation of the world (1 Peter 1:20). Yet as scripture bears out God used the decisions and choices of humans to fulfill His promise to redeem sinners by the sacrifice of His own Son. Therefore, no change that we face is a surprise to God.

4. To know this truth is to prepare and plan.

Since change is inevitable we, by God's help, should plan and prepare for it. We trust in God to guide us into tomorrow. He alone knows the changes we will face. We should pray a similar prayer to that of St Francis of Assisi. "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference." We must walk by faith in Him.

II. We must resist our reluctance to face inevitable change.

A. To a certain degree we are creatures of habit and resist change.

Why? The reason is that unwanted change moves us out of our comfort zones. We are not sure of the outcome of change. Therefore, we are reluctant to accept some of the changes that we must experience. We all have our settled daily routines.

B. God uses change to promote our growth and His glory.

• Change will cause us to reevaluate our lives and make adjustments. Change can move us to look at ourselves differently and see our lives from a new perspective so that we can change for the better. Think of the change the disciples faced when Jesus was crucified. They were reluctant for this change to occur. They did not even believe Him or understand when He spoke of His need to face death for them. The disciples desired that Jesus establish His kingdom in a physical sense and relieve them from the bondage of Roman rule. Yet, after Jesus left them they realized their true mission and were motivated to be used to build Christ's kingdom as God intended by preaching the Gospel and performing the good works of Christ for His sake.

•Change will cause us to seek God's guidance. When we are faced with change that we cannot control, we are motivated to seek God more fully. The wisdom writer teaches us in Proverbs that, In all our ways we are to acknowledge God and He will direct our paths. We become more willing to do this when we sense our inability.

• Job said it well when he was facing difficult changes, "When I am tried. I shall come forth as gold." Also Peter states, "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, in as much as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy" (1Peter 4:12-13).

III. We must adjust our attitude in order to face change humbly.

A. Paul adjusted to change in his life in an attitude of humility.

• Philippians 4: 11-13. "11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength."

• Paul learned this truth. May we too learn to find the life lessons God has to teach us in the seasons of life.

* Finally, let me share the Word of God to hold in our hearts to have victory in the New Year, no matter what changes come in our way.

Galatians 4:4-7

4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.6 Because you are his sons/ daughters, God sent the Spirit of his Son in to our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”7 So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.

In times of joy, sorrow, success or failure, gains or losses. One thing remains. You are God’s children! Changes will happen in the New Year, but remember that you The Christmas brought God Emmanuel to you and I, making us God’s sons and daughters. Be strong, be brave, be grateful, and rejoice!

Conclusion:

• What is the season of life you are facing now?

• What is the season we face as a church family?

• Trust in Christ now and His word to guide you as you face change.