There is a Season

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. –Romans 12:15

One of the important characteristics of a servant of God is to have the ability to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. Sometimes we let envy get in the way of rejoicing in other people’s success. Are you the type of person who can put your own emotions and troubles aside in order to get into the feelings of your friends who need you? Jesus had the ability to celebrate with friends at a wedding party and mourn with those at the death of a loved one.

Life tends to go in circles. We must learn the meaning of these words taken from the book of Ecclesiastes:

To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:

A time to be born, And a time to die,

A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted…

A time to weep, And a time to laugh.

A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing…

A time to keep silence, And a time to speak,

A time to love, And a time to hate:

A time of war, And a time of peace.
–Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NKJV)

When you learn this truth, you’ll learn one of the most important lessons of life: to everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What season of life described in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 have you experienced? Who was there to help you celebrate or mourn during these seasons?

2. Do you have the ability to come alongside people who are mourning and mourn with them? What steps can you take to make this characteristic a stronger part of your life?

FURTHER READING:
Ecclesiastes 8: 6; Amos 5:13