Submitted by Pastor Brad Dush, Fairfax United Methodist Church

What do people really get for all their hard work? I have seen the burden God has placed on us all. Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can. And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God. ~ Ecclesiastes 3:9-13, NLT

Many people know the words to the classic Byrds song, “Turn! Turn! Turn!” According to Wikipedia, it reached international fame in December 1965, hitting number one on Billboard’s Hot 100 a mere 41 days after its release as a single. I grew up listening to eight tracks, records, and tape cassettes full of sixties music. “Turn! Turn! Turn!” was one of the few songs that appeared on nearly all of them. It was a favorite of my father’s and thus became one of mine. If nothing else, it directed many in the pop culture of its day and subsequent listeners to the third chapter of the book of Ecclesiastes, the source material for much of the song. I don’t claim the song has a deep theological heritage, but I find it interesting when something in the mainstream can direct people to God’s word. The wildly popular song is inspired by the first eight verses, which begs what follows those eight verses.

The following five verses are featured above. Like the preceding eight verses, they center around “God’s Timing.” Specifically, God is setting up the long game concerning the human heart and the encouragement amid the long game to live in the moment and “enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.” “Turn! Turn! Turn!” is commonly known or subtitled as “To Everything There Is a Season.” The song often evokes the idea of the ebb and flow of life for the listener. Not just in the physical seasons of the year but in the metaphorical seasons of life. That is where I find the latter five verses of immense encouragement now. My wife and I are entering into a new season of life. This summer saw my youngest daughter’s marriage. As of August 12, we officially find ourselves “empty nesters.” Life is different for us. 

My plan moving forward in the next few months when the “empty nest syndrome” kicks in will be to remember these words from Ecclesiastes 3:9-13 and do my best to find ways to rest in God’s timing. I will find encouragement knowing God is working things out in the long game while learning to live in the moment and enjoy the “fruits” of my labor. Life has a way of happening, and often, my initial or gut reaction is not calm but angst and worry. The challenge ever before me is to learn to be more patient and relaxed. Enjoy the moments I spend with my extended family more and cherish the extra time my wife and I have together now.

What changes are upcoming for you in this season of life? What new challenges or adjustments must be made? Perhaps it is just the start of a new school year, new job, new family member, or a pending retirement. However the change presents, the prescription is the same. Trust God and His timing. Lean into patience over angst, “enjoy the fruits of your labor, for they are gifts from God.”