Closing The Cabin

Last weekend Kim and I spent a couple of nights at our family cabin in the Adirondacks. Our main purpose for going up was to close it up for the winter. Since the cabin is not winterized, it is unusable during the winter months. Thus, the pipes need to be drained, all food removed, the bedding put away, etc. Kim and I both agreed that it can feel a bit sad when it all gets shut down at the end of a season. And for me, it felt like a sign of the passing of time. 

I’m sure you would agree, time passes by so quickly—most often, more quickly than we would like it to. It feels like we’ve just taken down the Christmas tree and packed away all the trimmings, when the holidays are back in view. Before you know it the kids are grown, off to college, married, and having kids of their own. The aches and pains and wrinkles of aging begin to appear.  Retirement comes.  Your celebration of  10 years of marriage turns into a 30 year celebration, then 40 years, etc. (If you’re on the younger side of life, you’ll soon experience what I’m talking about!) 

It’s no wonder the Psalmist wrote, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12 - NIV) Elsewhere he prays, “Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is.” (Psalm 39:4) 

The Apostle Paul instructs us with these words, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity….”  (Ephesians 5:15-16) That word “opportunity” can mean “every moment in time.” 

As we consider the pace at which life moves and its relative brevity, how can we not try to make the most of every season, year, and day—every moment in time?  It’s not that we must always be accomplishing something noticeably great. But we would be wise to make sure each moment we have is used to focus on the things that are most important in life—e.g. our relationship with God and with those around us.  Those who are wise will use their limited time to fulfill God’s call upon their life, always seeking to be a blessing to our world. Those who understand the passing of the seasons will allow every season, each with its own challenges, to be a season of renewed inspiration, life, and just one more step in the plan of God. 

Yes, seasons come and go. Time passes by quickly. Before we know it, Kim and I and our family will back up at the cabin for another summer season.  In the meantime, we will do our best to make the most of this next season and the days given to us in this coming year. I trust you will do the same. 

Have a great day! 

- Pastor Tim Harris