Women's Ministry

I guess my old teacher mindset is still stuck somewhere in my head. I can barely make it past July 4th before my mind starts insisting that summer is over and it’s time to plan for fall. The long days, the rising heat, the ice cream, and even the calendar all insist it’s still midsummer—yet my heart is already racing toward the cooler days ahead. Recently, I decided to follow along with our current Ecclesiastes study for my quiet time. If I’m being honest, it stepped on my toes almost immediately: “‘Meaningless! Meaningless!’ says the Teacher. ‘Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless!’” — Ecclesiastes 1:2 Sitting with those words made me wonder: in my rush to get to the fall, am I missing all that God has for me right here, right now? The calendar keeps us focused on the days ahead, but God’s Word grounds us in the One who is sovereign over all things—including the calendar. What does it actually look like to surrender our schedules to Him? Perhaps it means holding our plans loosely, paying attention to the people and moments He places right in front of us today, and trusting that He is already present in our tomorrows. Another verse God has been using to speak into my heart is verse 7: “All streams flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full. To the place the streams come from, there they return.” — Ecclesiastes 1:7 The writer of Ecclesiastes is pointing to life’s endless cycles—generations coming and going, sun rising and setting, nothing new under the sun. Yet, I felt God whispering something deeper to me through this image. All our streams—our tasks, thoughts, responsibilities, ambitions, and distractions—flow into the sea of our lives, yet we are never truly full. We chase accomplishment, fill our schedules, and look ahead to the next season, believing satisfaction is just around the corner. But we cannot fill our hearts with the things of this world and expect them to satisfy us. They were never meant to. Only God can fill the emptiness we try to cover with busyness. Perhaps the invitation of Ecclesiastes isn't simply to slow down, but to remember that our value isn't found in what we accomplish or anticipate. It’s found in the God who holds every season, every day, and every moment in His hands. Maybe summer isn’t over after all. Maybe God still has something to teach us in these long July and August days—if we will simply slow down long enough to listen. Reflection Question: Are you naturally a "live in the moment" person, or do you find your mind constantly jumping ahead to the next season? How can we hold our plans loosely this week?