Devotion: Starting Well
Starting Well
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1
If you are from my generation, hearing this verse likely prompts in your head the tune from the 1965 song, Turn, Turn, Turn by The Byrds. Originally written by Pete Seeger in 1959, the song became the biggest hit for The Byrds and a mainstay on the radio and then also in movie soundtracks for literally decades.
Of course, the original poem is some 2,500 years old and is found in third chapter of Ecclesiastes. Profoundly relevant, the poem gives us perspective. The concept of seeing our lives in chapters enriches our ability to understand ourselves and put what we experience into a greater context. The practical impact of the poem on our lives is what has secured its lasting popularity.
Unfortunately, we usually stop reading at the last line of the poem. However, the greater point of the poet is located in the verses immediately following, verses nine through thirteen. The poet writes, “what gain have the workers from their toil?… there is nothing better for them than to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live.” In essence, the Psalmist is saying that, while there certainly is a time and season for everything, the point of life is to find joy.
My friend, I really want you to understand this one thing. God wishes for you joy! I know it can be a challenge to accept this. I sense this challenge with the families of church community! I see how little joy some people have in these days. And it makes me sad. God wishes for you joy. Sure, you work hard. Clearly, the poet describes a life of toil, namely, hard work. But God wills us to find joy in the work of life. I hope you can find that joy.
Ultimately, the easiest way to find joy is through understanding your values and living them out. When we understand our values, we live in the way that God has called us. This satisfaction brings a lasting joy.
This is why we are focusing on values in our new worship series. We have seen the power of emphasizing our values at the congregational level – through the development and assimilation of our mission statement within our community. We just need to learn to do this within our own lives.
So, what do you value? Really, what is most important? Are you living, using your values as the metric through which your daily choices are made? If you are frustrated and constantly burned out by your calendar, then in all likelihood, you need to take pause and reflect.
But If you are in touch with your values, and using them well, my guess is that you are also finding joy.
Gracious God, grant us joy, we pray – the kind of joy that yields the sense of your presence. Guide us to live out our gifts, in concert with your will. We long for you, and we long for your joy. Amen.
Written by Pastor Greg Bouvier
Pastor Greg heard God’s call to Sheridan in 1999 and that began a journey which has become his life’s work. Having played a variety of roles as pastor of Sheridan, Pastor Greg was called as the Senior Pastor in 2011. He leads the staff and his primary focus is on the creation of culture, the overall direction of worship and partnering with our amazing team. Pastor Greg has been married to Rose for more than 30 years and together they have two servant-hearted grown children.