As we head into the summer months it is a time when most people look forward to vacations and/or shorter times of rest and relaxation. Some enjoy the many sport activities that this time of year offers. They make the most of the good weather whenever it isn’t too hot. It is a good idea to take advantage of the moments we have since we never know when they will be taken away from us. Life brings many surprising turns and you need to be prepared to make the adjustments when they come along. The old testament book of Ecclesiastes hints at this when it says:” There is a time for everything under the Sun.. A time to do and a time to be done.” Recently I have had to deal with some people who’s time to be done has come and it is interesting to watch and listen to how they react to this new time of their lives. Some are content. They have done many things in life and so are okay with this laying aside of activities or opportunities that are now gone. Others are bitter as they complain that they didn’t have time enough to do what they wanted. I find that they often didn’t make good use of the time they had and so still aren’t doing so. Instead of looking at the new windows that are opening up after the closing of a door, so to speak, they are only complaining that the door is closed. This is perhaps okay if it is part of the grief process, but otherwise it is a sad waste of precious time. Best to just look forward to the new and to let go of the old.

That is part of the hope and joy of the Gospel message that Jesus gives us. God is always making all things new. The Lord is always willing to bring us to new life. Even if we go through mortal death, he brings us to the new life of Heaven where all will be renewed in abundant overflowing fullness. What a blessing it is to know that the Lord is with us always and is preparing the way before us. To be able to look out in the world and to not have to focus on the bad, but to look for the good. Yes, we know that there is bad, this is a world marked by “sin” , and while we are alive in our mortal bodies we will never fully escape that fact. But just as there is bad, there is good. There is so much good that we can enjoy and celebrate if we just don’t take it for granted. There is richness of opportunity to look and enjoy the world we live in. It can be as simple as watching a squirrel scamper through a tree, or as exciting as hitting a winning home run in the 9 inning. It may involve enjoying a wonderful play or symphony, or listening to the th sound of a cardinal calling. Take time to be still and know the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. And be part of the land of the living in whatever way you can, to whatever capacity you are able. As those who are handicapped are demonstrating these days, more than ever... don’t let you dis-ability define you totally... look at you’re abilities and celebrate them while you can.. They are God’s gifts to you. Then you will be able to join us in the true worship and praise of God’s goodness shown most clearly in Jesus the Lord.

Rev. Tijs, at St. Giles Presbyterian Church.

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