September 14, 2005
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I’ve been taking some comfort lately from this verse, among others, and it occurred to me to post it; it will be well-familiar to you.
(for some apropos accompanying music, click on the first song in the jukebox”, and hit “play” )
Ecclesiastes 3
A Time for Everything
1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
9 What does the worker gain from his toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on men. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. 13 That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God. 14 I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him.
Now it seems odd, in a way, that this gives comfort, but I am reassured that a loving God has a purpose in the “seasons” through which I and all of us pass:
Romans 8
18I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. ……we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. …28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 31What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36As it is written:
”For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
So, as I experience sadness of various types, and long for the place and time that our “present sufferings” are in the past, I am reassured that the God who purchased me is “turning the seasons” of my life for His purpose and my growth into that to which He has called me….the fullness of becoming His child.
Comments (12)
Amen.
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven . . . . I am reassured that the God who purchased me is “turning the seasons” of my life for His purpose and my growth into that to which He has called me….the fullness of becoming His child.
Spoken like a “seasoned” believer–one whose speech has likewise been liberally “seasoned” with the grace of Colossians 4:5-6.
Eric: Thanks for your very kind words…I am gratified to know that some of my attempts come across favorably (and thanks for the great scripture reference) as for being a “seasoned” believer…(I love the use of this word in the context of seasoning with grace!)..as you know, the seasoning continues.
Thanks for leaving your good words at my place. (You seem to go around doing that a lot!) And thanks for posting some good words here, too, although they aren’t all yours.
I just noticed you have a family blogring! That’s neat. I will check everyone out some time.
Blessings2u–
Nice versus. They still make sense in a non religeous context.
Thanks for your kind words at my site. And thanks for this post. You can’t know how much I needed to be reminded that God turns things around. Thank you so much.
Yes, but sometimes it would be awesome to have a season of peace.
Heather
I have noticed that in the seasons of the earth I tend to desire the end of one, long before it is done. Especially the heat of summer, or the cold of winter. I find the seasons of life, or perhaps the orchestrated seasons the Lord brings us to, are the same for me. My husband and I are in a season of intensity, major stresses have come to play. I keep thinking, “This season will end soon.” or, “I will adjust any time now to this season.” But each day seems to bring extreme challenge. In such times I usually have dreams that I’m am trying to get some where, but my legs will hardly move. I had that dream lately. The verses you posted give hope. He knows the way in which He leads us, and He has a good purpose, intent and design that is behind what is happening.
So are you still working those crazy hours?
heather: I agree..I also long for a “season of peace” in my life(but am aware that I pursue God far more fervently when things are more unsettled.
secureintruth: Yes: I’ve noticed that, too…ie, the desire for the end of a season before it turns out that it’s time for it to close.
fishtree: Yup…see you over on your site.
I’m not sure if it’s vineyard or not…what makes you say that?
Hey Mr. Smallish, this is Jake…ex-Wca’er. I love that passage that you’ve got up there, and I love the song too. Iz sounds nothing like what he looks like!