For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. – Ecclesiastes 3:1

Wow, Autumn is upon us, and the busyness has begun. Summer mission trips have been largely completed. Music Camp and VBS were highly attended and inspiring as always. Our high school and middle school students have returned from their summer retreats. Campus Outreach staff and students engaged in another Orlando Project; our college student Life Group and Koinonia met, fellowshipped, and studied all summer, and our senior adult ministry enjoyed a time of encouragement to grandparents to lead their grandchildren in the faith. Our Friendship Life Group for adults with special needs had another wonderful day camp, and all our ongoing events (Thursday Ladies Bible Study, Men’s breakfasts and gatherings, book studies, etc.) continued through the summer unabated. Many of you also added soccer camps, football camps, cheer camps, etc. to that list.

We are busy people in a busy culture, aren’t we? I often write and talk in such a way as to encourage all of us to take some time to slow down and remember our walk with Christ. I too need to hear that encouragement (and occasionally a rebuke) to prioritize my time. I can easily get caught up in the busyness of life and ministry. However, I do try to consistently find intentional time that is quiet to concentrate on putting some meat on my spiritual bones. That happens best for me in the early hours of the morning, but for many it takes place at a different time of day. Whenever that optimal time is for you, do not put it aside. I know it’s tempting. We are really busy in America, and if you have children, you’re really, really busy because our culture has plenty for them to do as well.

Most of what we do with our time is important, or we wouldn’t make time for it. There are exceptions, of course. Our culture throws at us a multitude of activities that are a flat-out waste of time. However, even if we manage our time well and steer clear of time-wasters, we still find ourselves with plenty to do. Here’s the thing: even though people in “Bible times” did not have cell phones, soccer leagues, country clubs, or television and video games, they kept plenty busy. They made meals from scratch, walked great distances, communicated by courier, and worked long hours. We are generally busy with entertainment activities that are often individualistic; they were busy staying alive. In their setting and ours, God calls his people to “redeem the hour” and make time not only for our relationship with God, but our fellowship with one another as well (Rom. 13:11-12; Heb. 10:24-25). As busy as people used to be living life and putting food on the table, they also made time for family, corporate gatherings, and worship. Generally speaking, they entertained themselves by gathering together.

This article will soon get lost in the shuffle of your life, so may I offer a suggestion? Stop now and ask God to keep you focused as we enter this Autumn season and progress towards another Advent season. Many of you spent 40 Days with Jesus in April/May during the Lenten season.  The goal then was to abide in Christ. The goal does not change with the seasons. Our walk with Jesus is a year-round walk. Some take time in a few “seasons” each year to be intentional about their walk of faith, but those seasons are intended to lead us to longer seasons of faithfulness. Stop, think, pray, read, abide, and enjoy the fellowship of God and your brothers and sisters in Christ. Make the time. It will do you well, and your faith will blossom.

There are plenty of important things to do in this life. Most of them are not sinful. Do them, and do them well, but do not forsake the most important things. Faith, family, fellowship. We are built for these things.

Grace and peace,

Pastor Jym