Order in the Christian & Hebrew Scriptures
by Rev. Shirley Knight
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted…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” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-4)
Order, as taught here, is not a rigid framework imposed arbitrarily but an invitation to align with the natural flow of existence. When we use the power of order, we understand the seasons of our lives—the times to take action and the times to rest, the times to mourn and the times to celebrate. We progress on the spiritual path with sacred purpose.
We live effectively by recognizing divine timing. When we resist the cycles—clinging to immaturity when it is time to take responsibility or avoiding grief when it is a natural response—we stunt our growth. We follow proper order when we discern the rhythms and patterns and allow ourselves to move fluidly as directed by Christ within.
Even in change and polarities there is order. Holding space for opposites is a spiritual practice. When we embrace divine order, we surrender trying to control situations through our personal fears and limitations.
When we learn to honor each season as it arrives, we enter a state of harmony that Richard Rohr calls “non-dual awareness.” This is where acceptance and transformation meet. In sacred order, we find the freedom to be present, the courage to grow, and the peace that passes all understanding.
Order and LGBTQIA+ Interest
The wisdom of Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 that “there is a time for every matter under heaven” offers a profound framework for those committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
First, it reminds us that social change unfolds in seasons. Efforts toward justice and equity require patience and persistence, recognizing that progress comes in cycles of growth, challenge, setback, and renewal. There is a time to speak out and a time to listen; a time to disrupt unjust systems and a time to build new, inclusive structures.
Second, the passage calls us to honor the different phases and experiences within diverse communities. Just as the seasons vary, so do the rhythms of individual lives and cultures. Equity includes respecting unique timelines and histories—acknowledging when healing and trust must be nurtured before change can fully take root.
Third, embracing order means holding the tension between urgency and patience. Social justice often moves through discomfort and conflict, and Ecclesiastes teaches that these moments are part of a cycle that leads to transformation.
Finally, recognizing that we can follow divine timing invites humility. We are called not to force change without permission but to co-create with wisdom and compassion trusting that each season prepares the way for the next.
In this way, Ecclesiastes offers a spiritual compass for progress: one that values timing, respects differences, and embraces the full spectrum of human experience as valid pathways that can lead to learning.
Embodying Order as Divine Love
Recognizing the boundless love that flows through all creation we see that every person is both student and teacher on this sacred journey. Each carries a unique dignity and an inner order that embodies the Divine. When we engage with order in ways that are humble, graceful, and open, we create space where freedom, diversity, and creativity thrive.
Both in the quiet space of our hearts and in the vibrant life of our communities, we are invited to continually return to balance: Are we embracing change when necessary? Are we making room for differences as a gift rather than as a threat? Are we willing to release outdated structures that no longer serve the flourishing of life?
Order is not a cage but a trellis—an invitation to grow in patterns that are beautiful precisely because they are alive and evolving. The misuse of order comes when we attempt to impose our limited personal will onto the vast opportunity of life. When we tune to the wisdom of conscience and surrender to the deep currents of love and understanding, we become co-creators with the sacred, enabling life to bloom in astonishing and surprising ways.
About Folx
At Folx with Faith, we believe that each of us is an expression of divine love—and that includes the way we choose, act, and live with intention.
We affirm that aligning with God’s will doesn’t mean losing yourself—it means discovering the most authentic version of who you are. It means trusting that divine love is within you, guiding your way, and calling you to participate in healing the world.
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References & Additional Resources for Understanding as a Superpower
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Rev. Shirley Knight graduated from Unity Worldwide Spiritual Institute in 2018 with a master’s degree in divinity and was subsequently licensed as a Unity minister. While in school, Shirley was a founding member of the Unity Ministers Student Association (UMSA) and served on the board. She is currently on the board of Conflict to Connection in Unity, a group that promotes empathy and insight for growth. Prior to ministerial school, Shirley had a 27-year-career in information management where she progressed from training specialist to quality assurance lead to program manager. As a volunteer Shirley founded a community arts organization called the Athena Art Project. For 16 years that organization produced an annual music and art festival and other community events such as concerts, art shows and literary readings. For this effort Shirley was honored with a Certificate of Special Recognition from the City of Houston in 2004 and an Extra Mile Award from Uncommon Legacy in 2005. Prior to founding the Athena Art Project, Shirley produced a show on community access television in which she interviewed accomplished women such as musicians, authors, artists and directors of national organizations. The program won two Access Awards for Programming Excellence. Shirley is a part-time associate minister at Unity of Houston where she primarily focuses on special projects.
