Can you believe that Christmas is next week? I don’t think I’ve ever been this far behind. There are still a few gifts that I need to get and I’m looking at a pile of presents that need to be wrapped. Time just seems to be passing by at warp speed. Of course, this has been a pretty weird year, full of change and a requirement that we be quick to adapt.
I started thinking about Scripture related to time and my mind went straight to the third chapter of Ecclesiastes. If you’re as old as I am, you can sing this as well as recite it.
The Mystery of Time
1 There is an occasion for everything,
and a time for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to give birth 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 throw stones and a time to gather stones;
a time to embrace and a time to avoid embracing;
6 a time to search and a time to count as lost;
a time to keep and a time to throw away;
7 a time to tear and a time to sew;
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.
This passage centers me and brings me back to gratefulness for the time that God has given me. Whereas in my flesh, I always want more, the word of God tells me that each day is ordained for me, that I must be content with the 168 hours I have every week, and that I am called to used it wisely.
So, perhaps instead of speeding up this time of year, we should slow down. Let’s breathe in the blessings right in front of us. Let’s count our many blessings. And instead of getting caught up in what we don’t have time to do, let’s thank God for the many luxuries He has provided to help us accomplish so much. And let’s get some sleep.
Challenge
Now if you can name the group rocked this passage in the 1960s, let me know at Lifting Her Voice, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
Leave a Reply