by Rev. Pressley Sutherland

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven…
Ecclesiastes 3.1

Is there ever a neat and tidy way to sum up a year of life experiences? Each New Year I find myself feeling pressure to make succinct meaning of the year which has passed. And each time, I find myself at a loss for words. Experiences stand out; some large, more not so large in hindsight.  I have surely learned many things, and yet there are events and evaluations which give rise to more questions than answers.

The Teacher in Ecclesiastes reminds us that life is full of seasons. They go. They come. They go again. Our best approach is to enjoy our days as we can, and know that we are not alone or helpless as part of creation. Life is beautiful-sometimes awesome, sometimes awful. We were conceived with Life-Light, and through faith, are carriers of a promise deeper than circumstances, an understanding broader than words can express.

Whatever seasons you may journey through in 2009, I bless you with provision as I was blessed by our congregation in the induction to pastoring at GHMCC liturgy written by Elise:

I pray for you

The Light of God’s warm presence +
Streams of living water +
The Rock of All Ages +
The Power of the Breath of God +
And Trees that sing with joy.
Amen.