In a jazz or pop musical group, there is a phrase called being “in the pocket.” Other phrases for this idea would be getting “in the groove” or locking into “the feel.” Being in the pocket is not only about playing the notes you have in rhythm—in time with the other musicians—but also understanding and following the spaces and rests between the notes.

I’ve been thinking of this idea of being in the pocket recently as I’ve gone about my work as a pastor.

One of the great gifts of ministry is the opportunity I am given to meet people at all ages and stages of life. I baptize newborns. I get to teach elementary, middle school and high school students. I correspond with college students and young adults. I counsel young parents as they begin families, and young adults as they start out in their careers. I visit regularly with people throughout their professional careers. And I also accompany people as they enter new chapters after retirement, and in the twilight season of those anticipating death.

The result of all of this is that I’m regularly given a privileged position to watch and observe the various “seasons of life.” Each of these seasons has their rhythms and patterns. And we’re called, it seems to me, to find ways to align ourselves with these rhythms—to be “in the pocket” as we move through them.

A hymn that reflects this truth beautifully is “O Blessed Spring”—number 447 in our red hymnal. The words of this hymn, by Susan Palo Cherwien, move us through the different stages of life, each represented by a season. In the spring of life, we are baptized in “word and sign” and embraced as a branch of “this life-giving Tree” of faith. We move then into the “summer heat of youthful years” with “uncertain faith” and “rebellious tears.” Autumn brings with it a cooling of youth, and heavy limbs, but also “gifts of beauty, wisdom, love.” Finally, winter returns us to dust as we “breathe our last.”

Importantly, each of these verses not only describes the various seasons of life but reminds us that Christ is with us throughout each of them, surrounding us with his love at each moment of our existence. Christ embraces us in baptism, sustains us in our youth, gives us the gifts of we receive during adulthood, and holds us as we approach our death.

As we move through our life, we’re invited to be “in the pocket” of whatever season in which we find ourselves. Which is another way of saying that we’re invited to recognize that Christ is the one directing the movements of life. He is the one conducting and setting the tempo. Our job is to find our place under his loving and watchful guidance through the rhythms of worship, service, prayer and rest. And when we do, the music is beautiful indeed.

Rhythmically Yours,

• #belonging
• #faith formation
• #finding your groove
• #life stages
• #seasons of life