Ecclesiastes 3 : 1-11 (NRSV)
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;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to throw 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.
What gain have the workers from their toil? I have seen the business that God has given to everyone to be busy with. 11He has made everything suitable for its time; moreover, he has put a sense of past and future into their minds, yet they cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.
Daily Byte
Life follows its own rhythms - there is a time for everything, and we all experience seasons of great joy and seasons of deep grief. Yet, if we will look, if we will open ourselves to the eternity that God has placed in our hearts, we will discover that in every moment, whether sad or happy, whether good or bad, there is beauty waiting to be discovered. God had made all things beautiful in its time, and if we will just open our eyes and hearts to this ever-present beauty, we find healing and strength and joy, even in the midst of the deepest pain. And God has given us the gift of worship to teach us to recognise and embrace life’s many beauties.
When have you found beauty and joy in the midst of suffering and grief? What has enabled you to see it? How does worship help you to be more aware of God’s beauty in the world and in your life? Won’t you make a commitment today to seek for the beauty that is hidden all around you, and allow God to heal you a little more through his ever-present beauty?
Pray As You Go
The Master has crammed His canvas with all that is beautiful filling it beyond capacity with hues and fragrances, texture, tastes and music to awaken the soul.
How glorious to live in this universe, O God!
how our hearts vibrate with the artistry of Your love:
How our senses and spirits are enlivened by the beauty of Your glory
revealed within and around us!
Our praise is too small to express our appreciation,
our joy and our love
that You have blessed us so.
How it must grieve You, O God, when we run from beauty, terrified of the passions it might awaken in us
fearful that is may not last, that it might deceive us.
How your tears must flow when we choose what is ugly, utilitarian, functional alone.
Forgive us, Beautiful God, when we fail to embrace, and enjoy and be
the beauty that You have desired and created;
And when we have robbed others of beauty.
Renew in us the capacity for the beauty which was in Jesus,
and may we both reflect and celebrate Your glory because of it.
Amen.
Today’s devotion is taken from Rev John van de Laar’s outstanding book ‘The Hour That Changes Everything: How worship forms us into the people God wants us to be.’ Used with permission
To order copies of this book and for other superb worship resources visit http://www.sacredise.com
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