For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: …a time to keep silence, and a time to speak…
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: …a time to keep silence, and a time to speak…
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Some of us may be familiar with this passage from the hit song written by Pete Seeger and sung by The Byrds, “Turn! Turn! Turn!” What is this passage about? Well, the word “time” is used 29 times in only 8 verses! I am writing this on a “snow day”—truly a gift of time, when work and planned activities are cancelled. Normally, I would be running from one activity to another, often without enjoying the time I spend doing them.
Time is what we want most, especially as we get older; what our children and grandchildren really want most from us; what it takes to make relationships work; what we most look forward to in retirement; what we begrudge giving up most for something we are not eager to do. Our life can only be satisfying when we center it on God and are grateful and enjoy the time He gives us each day—whether it is working, playing, waiting, eating, praying, meeting, gardening, shoveling, or taking a class. We can be sure God will bring each of these times into our life at the right time for us.
God has set eternity in our hearts. We don’t need to look behind to what did not get done or ahead to what needs to be done. All we need to do is live day by day, enjoy each time He has given us, and keep his commandments. It all prepares us for that precious gift of eternity—all of time—which someday will be ours!
Marjie Mack
