3 For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven:

² a time to be born and a time to die;

a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted;
³ a time to kill and a time to heal; a time to break down and a time to build up;
⁴ a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance;
⁵ a time to throw away stones and a time to gather stones together;

a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing;
⁶ a time to seek and a time to lose; a time to keep and a time to throw away;
⁷ a time to tear and a time to sew; a time to keep silent and a time to speak;
⁸ a time to love and a time to hate; a time for war and a time for peace. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Grace and peace from God our heavenly Father and Jesus Christ the Lord and Savior. Amen.

The words of Ecclesiastes 3 are familiar to many. If not from the Bible, then a generation and the two on either side of it know it from The Byrds. Attributed to King Solomon, known for his great wisdom, these words are a reflection of what we experience here on earth. It is a very poetic rendering of ‘life is not static’ and ‘change is a part of living’.

During May, we see gardens change (sometimes seemingly overnight), we prepare for students to graduate en masse, we witness  the change of season and weather (although in Minnesota that can happen several times in the course of one day), campgrounds begin to open, shops start to remove their ‘closed for the season’ signs, the orange cones and barricades take up residence on the roads, birds and butterflies migrate, other animals wake from hibernation, and countless other examples. There are signs of metamorphoses all around us this time of year. Through those signs, we are reminded that there is a time for everything under heaven. Every sign we witness has its own time.

The greatest metamorphosis we celebrate in the Spring is Christ’s death and resurrection. If we were to format it into the cadence of Ecclesiastes 3, it would read,

For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to die and a time to rise.

This ‘time’ would not only refer to Christ’s death and resurrection, but also to your own. Day by day, you die to sin and rise to new life in Christ. That metamorphosis of grace, given to you in baptism, is one of your own. You were baptized into Christ’s resurrection. Each and every day, you experience that transformation that God’s forgiveness has on you. Each day, God forgives you. Every day, the Holy Spirit guides and comforts you.

We are also reminded that in the midst of change, there is a vital constant. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8) Throughout all the changes around you, God remains faithful. Christ’s promises are forever and unchanging. God’s presence does not leave you. The Holy Spirit continues to dwell within you. The Lord continues to bless you, now and forever.

The grace and peace of God that surpasses all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.