For someone like me – a “newcomer” who has been in the UK for just about two years, or for those of you who have lived here for many more years, I believe we experience the same : that British weather has its character.
In the morning, when the sun is shining brightly, you think summer has finally arrived, so you go out in short sleeves; who knows that in the afternoon, dark clouds gather and a heavy downpour follows, with the temperature plummeting by ten degrees.
Last week, I was at the CACU Spring Conference, experiencing a heatwave exceeding 30 degrees Celsius; this week, however, the weather has returned to being cool and drizzly. Some say that you can experience all four seasons in a single day in Britain; others jokingly say that weather forecasts are just for reference, and the real weather is best observed from the window.
Whenever I come across unpredictable weather, I think of Ecclesiastes 3:1:
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” The Preacher reminds us that life does not always remain in the same season. The passage goes on: “There is a time to be born and a time to die, . . . a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.” Life has its highs and lows; its sunny days and persistent outbreaks of rain.
Often, we like sunshine but dislike rain; we welcome favourable circumstances but dread difficulties. However, if England only had sunshine all year round, the grass might not be so green; similarly, if life only had success and happiness, we might not learn to trust in God, let alone appreciate the preciousness of grace.
Ecclesiastes 7:14 says:
“When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, a man cannot discover anything about his future.”
This verse is very meaningful to me, but it is certainly not a simple lesson. God does not promise believers only “good weather,” but reminds us to learn different lessons in different seasons of life. In good times, learn to be grateful and not take everything for granted; in difficult times, learn to trust and firmly believe that God is still in control.
Sometimes we act like looking at a weather App, hoping to know what each day will bring: How will work be? How will our children be? How will our own and our family’s health be? What will retirement be like? However, God often does not give us the entire “life forecast.” He only promises: “I will be with you.” The peace the Lord gives is not because we know all the answers to the future, but because we know that the Lord holds the future and that He is always with us.
Therefore, gratitude is not just “giving thanks when the weather is good” but giving thanks in any weather. I am grateful that I am still alive today, grateful for the companionship of my family and friends, grateful for the mutual support in the church, and even more grateful that God’s love has never changed, whether it is sunny or rainy in life.
Next time when you see the sky in England turns from sunny to cloudy, or when you have just put away your umbrella but need to take it out again, smile and remind yourself:
“The weather changes, but God remains unchanged; seasons turn, but grace endures.” May we all learn to be grateful in every season of our lives, enjoying each day God gives us.
“He has made everything beautiful in its time.” Ecclesiastes 3:11
May the Lord help us to give thanks in sunshine, trust Him in the storms, and see His good works every day. Amen.
Pastor Ken Yeung