2 a time to be born and a time to die, 
       a time to plant and a time to uproot,

    3 a time to kill and a time to heal, 
       a time to tear down and a time to build,

    4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, 
       a time to mourn and a time to dance,

    5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, 
       a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

    6 a time to search and a time to give up, 
       a time to keep and a time to throw away,

    7 a time to tear and a time to mend, 
       a time to be 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

So I'm sure the Byrds' song "Turn, Turn, Turn" is now running through your head. Okay first off, just be glad that's what you're hearing instead of the version I'm hearing from High School.

Anyways. I hit me today as I was walking around the North Greenville campus this afternoon that, oddly enough, the Bible was right. Okay that needs explanation I'm sure. Just a few months ago I was bundling up for the first time to go for a walk outside. Now I'm shedding those confining layers for flip flops and shorts. 

Seasons Change. People Change. You Change. 

It has occured to me in the last several weeks how changing our world is. It is full of new relationships and letting go of old ones. It has death and life. It brings forth new perspectives on old ideals. Our world is never the same as it was a minute ago. It always moves, always pushes onward. It doesn't slow down for anyone or anything. It is sometimes hard to not get swept away in the tide of life. We, as humans and Christians, are designed to be adaptive. We sweat when we're hot, we pray when we're under fire by the self righteous for our shortcomings. We adapt. We evolve in a way that is in no way meaning we come from monkeys. We change intentionally and unintentionally. We grow up. God's magnificent plan and design for us involves all the ever changing things around us. It includes heartbreaks, discouragements, falls away from Him. Everything that happens and changes is due to God's plan and design. We are not meant to be stationary in one part of life. If that were true, we would never get past our newborn stage. It is learning how to accept the changes that happen in our life that makes us who we are. We get angry over things and we become a more angry person, we take them in stride and we become more reliant on God. That is the design. We serve a selfish God who takes joy in our praise of Him and joy in our reliance on Him. Using the word selfish seems odd to me, however in reading a book by John Piper "Desiring God" I am seeing that all of God's creation was never meant for us. Yes, I did understand that before now, however, I understand it. The changing of seasons, of tides, of everything is meant for Him, not us. In the end it will all be made clear. We will understand how every little thing fit into one huge picture that is much larger than any of our big problems. 

Seasons Change. Take Advantage of It. Turn, Turn, Turn, and Soak it Up

Music Suggestion: Keane...in general. It's all good stuff.