Greetings all and happy Sabbath!  Just a reminder that we will have services in all three congregations tomorrow.  Those who were originally on for speaking and songleading assignments last week will be fulfilling them tomorrow.  If you were originally scheduled to speak or songlead on tomorrow, the 18th, you get the day off!  In addition, there will be a Teen Bible Study in Charlotte with those in Columbia able to tune in.  Sabbath School has been moved to next Sabbath.

A dip in the mercury

Things have definitely take a turn to the cold over the past few weeks, with more to come.  Next week we’ll be down in the teens at night, with those in the mountains nearing single digits.  There’s even talk of snow on Tuesday night here in Charlotte.

Of course, this isn’t surprise to anyone.  While winters are generally milder in our area, it’s still natural for temperatures to drop in January. It’s simply a part of the seasons God created.

Dots on a map

As I was beginning to write this message, I had my Google Maps program open.  On it I have several places highlighted with little dots as favorite spots.  Some are locations of people’s homes, places we have services or other places I travel to frequently.  

Some though, are a little different.  Some are just places on the side of the road that I really like.  Places I’ve driven that I thought were exceptionally beautiful.  One, for example, is in a field in the middle of nowhere that I happen to chance upon one day.  There’s nothing significant, no major attraction, nothing that stands out.  I just like it.

So what does that have to do with the dip in temperature?  The places on my map marked as favorites are all over the country.  While they are all beautiful in their own way, I wouldn’t want to necessarily visit some of them in the depths of winter, and others I’d avoid during the sweltering heat of summer.

Change of seasons, change of perspective

While there is something to be said about our desire to visit certain locations only at a certain time of year, I think there’s a broader application to consider.  Sometimes, the things that interest are come and go with seasons in life.  As a young person, you probably don’t worry about your health too much.  As you get older, impressing other people drops off your priority list.  Time, it would seem, changes our perspective.

While our perspective might change a great deal as we age, our focus on honoring God and being like our elder brother, Jesus Christ, should always be a priority.  As the seasons of your life change, make sure spending time with God is one place you always want to be!