Tuesday Tidings, July 21, 2026

Dearest Members of Bethlehem,

“For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven… a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted.” -Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

I am not one to question the wisdom of scripture. As a result, I believe it’s a good thing to acknowledge that, “for everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.”

My struggle - and it could be the case that some of you wrestle with this just a bit as well - is that I would like to control and determine what and when those seasons are! Why do the seasons simply come and go as they please?

And even more pointedly, it seems so unnerving to hear the Bible insist that life is marked by times of great gain, as well as times of great loss. There will be seasons of unbridled joy and deep sorrow. There will be pleasant surprises and not so pleasant surprises. And the writer of Ecclesiastes does not want this to come as some kind of surprise to us!

We know what to do in the seasons of abundance; we celebrate, we lift our voices in praise and thanksgiving and respond with full hearts to God’s goodness and providence.

But how might we react in those more difficult seasons that we know will eventually come?

We still reach out to God, but we sing a different tune, so to speak. In fact, many faithful folks - even the psalmist - find themselves expressing deep lament to God when these seasons of loss do arrive. And let me point out that the lament that appears in scripture - these expressions of grief and pleas for strength and comfort - often contain words of hopefulness as well. Alongside the cries for help are the acknowledgment that a new, and maybe even brighter day, will eventually dawn.

God never indicated that God would make our lives care free, God promised that God would care for us as we make our way through our greatest challenges into the promised lands.

Finally, that’s where our assurance lies, no matter what kind of season we happen to find ourselves in, we find ourselves in a perpetual relationship with a God of compassion who can empathize with the depth of our struggle as well as understand our need for support along the way.

Question for reflection: What are you planting now that you hope to harvest in the season to come?

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Dan

God of goodness, the corn stalks are getting taller, the fruit trees more laden, and the honey bees are a little louder these days. This is the fullness of summer, this is a time of growth… may we be ever-thankful for the refulgence of this season, and at the same time remain committed to growing in You in every season of our lives. In Christ’s name we pray, amen.

*Please note, there will be no “Tidings” on July 28th. Regularly scheduled mailings will resume on August 4th. Thank you so very much for your continued interest in these weekly devotions!

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