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United Reformed Church’s URC Daily Devotions website https://devotions.urc.org.uk/ contains podcast-based services with hymns, readings, prayers and sermons, one of the many resources from the URC Daily Devotions.
Dear Friends
‘For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.’
This is the opening verse of the much-loved reading from chapter 3 of the book of Ecclesiastes.
The words from the verses that follow were used in the song, ‘For everything there is a season’, by The Limeliters and then adapted by Pete Seeger under the new title, ‘Turn, Turn, Turn’. It has been a hit across the globe and translated into German and sung by Marlene Dietrich.
It is both a biblical text and a song that comes to mind as we watch the meteorological seasons move from one to another and as we think about the seasons of our lives as we grow and age. Perhaps this is why it is a popular reading for funerals and occasionally at weddings. It reminds us that time marches on whether or not we are ready for it!
I think it can resonate with us too as we live in challenging times. Today we fear for the security of our world. There are far too many places where war and conflict blight the lives of many. There are places where people are starving and homeless. How those affected by things must long to see their seasons change for the better. We have just entered the season of Lent, and soon, we will live through the events of Holy Week; the horrors of Good Friday; and the joy of Easter Day, celebrating the resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Life and seasons moves on at a pace and yet some of the burdens we carry with us, as individuals and as communities remain. We find it difficult to shake them off, or find release from them. I know many of you found it thought provoking when Yuki and I used the image of heavy stones in a back-pack, to help us think about how we give our worries to God, and seek ways of releasing all that weighs us down to God in prayer.
Some stones we find difficult to let go of, and others we are not really sure what to do with, but we must remember the ending of the passage from Ecclesiastes: ‘I know that whatever God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done this so that all should stand in awe before him.
Easter is a reminder of just what God was and is prepared to do for us. We read in John’s gospel, ‘for God so loved the world that he gave his only Son , so that everyone who believes in him may not perish, but may have eternal life’.
This is God’s gift to us every season, but especially at Easter when we gather around our communion tables and retell the stories of God’s great love for us. As we celebrate the Good News of Christ’s resurrection, may we know the many blessings we receive, whatever the season and whatever troubles us.
Happy Easter to you all!
Sue
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
Dear Lord,
You weep with the world
as it weeps.
Comfort your people
and help us to comfort
others.
Bring restored hope to
those we hold up before
you today.
May they know your
resurrection power.
Amen.
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Reproduced with permission.
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