Everything Has Its Time

 The title of this blogpost is the first four words of a quotation by the 18th century German philosopher, theologian and poet, Johann Gottfried Herder. In full, it reads, "Everything has its time: winter and summer, autumn and spring, youth and old age, work and rest."

Reading his words reminded me of the famous lines in the third chapter of the Book of Ecclesiastes, often used in funerals:

"For everything there is a season, a time for every matter under the sun;

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to uproot;

A time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh;

A time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to speak, and a time to keep silent;

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under the sun."

I have come to believe deeply in the idea that everything has its time. It is, perhaps, most clearly in evidence in the natural world: Summer follows Spring, then Autumn, then Winter, then Spring again. And each season has its own beauty, it's own "feel".  I have found beauty and wonder in Salcey Forest in all seasons. 

Yesterday, my husband and I finally got round to visiting Westonbirt Arboretum in Gloucestershire and the Autumn foliage was absolutely glorious to see.... every shade of yellow, orange, brown, red and burgundy you could imagine - no photo does justice to it.

We have decided to return in the Spring, when the trees will be in blossom - a treat to look forward to.

But as the quotation by Herder said, it is not only natural beauty and the cycle of the seasons which has its time - the whole of our lives are a process of change and growth and eventually of dying back. And each season of our lives has its own beauty, its own wonder - the wide-eyed innocence and enthusiasm of the child; the teenage years, during which we think we know it all; the settling in to career and our place in society, which makes up the rest of the first half of life and so on.

It is the second half of life in which we commonly yearn for something other than earthly goals - a sense of longing can possess our souls, turning us towards the spiritual, towards the divine. This second-half of life pilgrimage does not have an end point - we travel on, deeper into the heart of God, letting go of the things which seemed so important in our earlier years - status, belongings, and so on.

The autumn of one's life can be rich and fulfilling, if we can allow ourselves to continue to grow, while simultaneously letting go, slowing down. It's a fine balance to find, but can lead to true contentment and a secure sense of being where we need to be. For example, last week, I met my great-nephew for the first time, which was so special. Even if I don't feel "old enough" to be a great aunt!

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under the sun."