For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; . . . (it continues with a list of dual opposites); a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.1
Israel had the cool, rainy winter season and the hot dry season. Similar to ours, we have the wet and dry (generally speaking). Let us draw our attention to the idea of planting, taking us as far back to the garden of Eden. The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.2 This meant the man was to nurture the garden. And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, . . .”3
Those who live in farms and grow fruit bearing trees or care for vegetable gardens know the daily care that the plants demand for it to flourish. There may be different seasons or staggering times of tilling, sowing, growing, pruning, fruiting. But what cannot stop is the faithful, consistent watering; otherwise, the plant may die. The outcome of the fruit depends on the work that had been done to keep the soil healthy. For whatever one sows, that will he also reap . . . And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.4
Jesus’ last instruction to his eleven disciples was to go and make disciples, and to teach them all that he had commanded.5 He didn’t say, “Go and make disciples when you feel like.” Or “Go make disciples when you have mastered the entire Scripture.” Rather he assured them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples . . .”6 The command was for us to obey and he would lend his authority to make the task possible.
Paul had bouts of weakness—a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”7
Plus we have the body, the church, to sustain us. We are task to strengthen, encourage, and comfort one another.8 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.9
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.10
May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.11 AMEN!
Notes:
1. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
2. Genesis 2:15
3. Genesis 1:28
4. Galatians 6:7-10
5. Matthew 28:16-20
6. Matthew 28:18-19
7. 2 Corinthians 12:7-9
8. 1 Corinthians 14:3
9. Hebrews 10:23-25
10. 1 Corinthians 15:58
11. 2 Peter 1:2
