For everything there is a season

 I stepped into what was formerly the Commerical National Bank in my hometown. I hadn’t been there since January of 1977. The shiny marble floor still glistened. The majestic marble columns still  drew the eyes toward the intricate tiled ceiling. 
I noticed the customer before me admiring the Lobby’s beauty. I interrupted his thoughts. “I haven’t been in this building since 1977.” I ssud. “It’s still beautiful, isn’t it? At one time it was said that the president of this bank elected mayors and was a leader in the city’s development.  I used to work in an office on the 8th floor.” 

Looking around at empty teller windows, I added, “The last time I was here all 21 windows had a teller.” There was only one teller now. The lobby was empty, save for a lone teller, a receptionist and the two of us. 

Looking thoughtful he said, “I wonder what this will be like in 25 years?” “I don’t know,” I replied. “Times are changing.” 

“For everything there is a season”, The Preacher in Ecclesiastes once said. Old chapters draw to a close and new chapters are born. 

“O Light, from age to age the same, O ever living Word,” the old hymn proclaimed, “Here have we felt Thy kindling flame, Thy voice within have heard.” Every age belongs to that Light; the light of Love, the light of Jesus, the light of God. Each age contains a glimpse of grace. 

Lord God, in the midst of constant change let us not be afraid. Let us look us always look for Your grace that sustains us. Amen. 

There are over 1300 monuments and over 60,00 graves in the necropolis behind the Glasgow Cathedral. It is a most impressive sight. Business leaders, clergy, politicians, and I am sure, a scamp or scoundrel or two are buried there. Nearly all of names are no longer remembered.  Many of the markers have been made illegible by Time. 

Walking in the morning’s mist I recalled the words of the Psalmist, Blessed in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. (Psalm 116:15).

Leaving the necropolis, a couple walked out ahead of me. Arms wrapped around each other they seemed closer than they had when they entered this holy place. I wondered to myself, if it takes the sobering realization that our life in this world is a wrinkle in time, a mere breath consumed by the winds of Eternity to make the Present Moment the most precious of all moments. God has made everything beautiful in its time; also He has put eternity into the human mind. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

Of all of God’s creations, the most beautiful one is Love; unconditional-no strings attached-Eternal-Holy Love. Such a love will not let us go, now or forever. This Love is a true glimpse of grace. 

Lord God, thank you for Your love that will never let me go. Let that love shine through me every day of my life. Amen. 

And God said, I will set my bow in the sky and it will remind me that I have made a promise to you and your descendants. (Genesis 9:13, 14)

I awoke to a rainbow this morning. After making a cup of coffee I stepped out onto the balcony and looked over at “the squinty” bridge in Glasgow, Scotland. And there it was, a rainbow! A “promise remembered”! A great start to a new day, one that was mixed with exhilaration and small disappointments. 

Throughout the day I remembered the rainbow as well as what it meant; God’s promise First given Noah and to all of his descendants until the end of time. What was a weapon of war became a symbol of reconciliation and hope and peace and Love. 

God is not angry with us; disappointed at times, but not angry. God does never writes us off, even if others do. Rather, God calls us to a new way of life, a way of life that sets aside selfish ambition and seeks to “enjoy and glorify God forever”, for that is why we were created. 

Lord God, thank you for the promise that You will neither forget or forsake us. Teach me to live in such a way You will be glorified. Amen

And God said, I will set my bow in the sky and it will remind me that I have made a promise to you and your descendants. (Genesis 9:13, 14)

I awoke to a rainbow this morning. After making a cup of coffee I stepped out onto the balcony and looked over at “the squinty” bridge in Glasgow, Scotland. And there it was, a rainbow! A “promise remembered”! A great start to a new day, one that was mixed with exhilaration and small disappointments. 

Throughout the day I remembered the rainbow as well as what it meant; God’s promise First given Noah and to all of his descendants until the end of time. What was a weapon of war became a symbol of reconciliation and hope and peace and Love. 

God is not angry with us; disappointed at times, but not angry. God does never writes us off, even if others do. Rather, God calls us to a new way of life, a way of life that sets aside selfish ambition and seeks to “enjoy and glorify God forever”, for that is why we were created. 

Lord God, thank you for the promise that You will neither forget or forsake us. Teach me to live in such a way You will be glorified. Amen

And God said, I will set my bow in the sky and it will remind me that I have made a promise to you and your descendants. (Genesis 9:13, 14)

I awoke to a rainbow this morning. After making a cup of coffee I stepped out onto the balcony and looked over at “the squinty” bridge in Glasgow, Scotland. And there it was, a rainbow! A “promise remembered”! A great start to a new day, one that was mixed with exhilaration and small disappointments. 

Throughout the day I remembered the rainbow as well as what it meant; God’s promise First given Noah and to all of his descendants until the end of time. What was a weapon of war became a symbol of reconciliation and hope and peace and Love. 

God is not angry with us; disappointed at times, but not angry. God does never writes us off, even if others do. Rather, God calls us to a new way of life, a way of life that sets aside selfish ambition and seeks to “enjoy and glorify God forever”, for that is why we were created. 

Lord God, thank you for the promise that You will neither forget or forsake us. Teach me to live in such a way You will be glorified. Amen