Ecclesiastes chapter three informs us, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck it up; a time to kill, and a time to heal; 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 embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to win, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; a time to speak, and a time to be silent; a time to hate, and a time to love; a time for war, and a time of peace.” Today, my dear friends I would also add there is a time to say good-bye.
These words were written thousands of years ago by the wisest man who ever lived, King Solomon. In the Book of Kings the heavenly visit of God to Solomon is recorded whereby He had granted to Solomon one request. The request was that God would give him all wisdom in order to know how to best lead the people God had given him charge over. While there will never be another Solomon, I can sincerely tell you I too have made that request of God often over the past 5 years as your pastor. I can also say God has faithfully granted wisdom in many areas of my ministry to First Baptist and to your service.
There is much to celebrate in recounting some of the successes we have shared together over these recent years in order to build God’s Kingdom and bring Him glory. There have been men, women, children, and families who have experienced the life changing event of acceptance of Jesus as their Lord and Savior. To God be the glory. There are also many folks who have gone through the exercise of believer’s baptism making their profession of faith in Jesus public in our midst. I believe that we have tried very hard to show this community of Travelers Rest the love of Christ through visitation nights and walking nearby neighborhoods as well as through numerous outreach events both inside and outside of our walls including children’s events such as Bible schools, baking goods for our businesses, providing food and supplies for our local schools and shelters, and our infamous “back to school bash.” Yes, there have been lives and families who have been changed over the last 5 years because of this church.
Now I wish to challenge you, my friends, to never give up in striving to bring joy to your surrounding area in fulfilling our great God’s command. Make disciples, Jesus would say as He ascended back to heaven after the cross, Go, and Make disciples. Even though the wisdom that God has granted has now brought us to this time of parting, my prayer for Travelers Rest is that you would always seek to glorify God in building His kingdom. I would ask you, in the words of a popular song, “Pray for me, and I will pray for you!” I love you and it has been my family’s privilege to serve you for these past five years.
Pastor Scott
