Time
Today is just another day for some. For some this day will represent a special day, such as a birthday or an anniversary. But really as the clock struck midnight on this, the 18th day of July it really was nothing more than another second, in another minute, in another hour, in another day. Time marches on. It is also said time heals. Or another person might say it happened just in the nick of time. And being on time is said to be a wonderful virtue (one that I just can't seem to get right).
Time, time, time. It means so much to so many...but what does it mean to the one that created it. I was reminded on this day of Ecclesiastes 3, where we learn a little lesson about time. I thought I would share it here. It spoke to me and gave me some perspective on this day. Whether or not it is a special day is dependant on what time it is!
Ecclesiastes 3:1-15
There's an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth:
A right time for birth and another for death,
A right time to plant and another to reap,
A right time to kill and another to heal,
A right time to destroy and another to construct,
A right time to cry and another to laugh,
A right time to lament and another to cheer,
A right time to make love and another to abstain,
A right time to embrace and another to part,
A right time to search and another to count your losses,
A right time to hold on and another to let go,
A right time to rip out and another to mend,
A right time to shut up and another to speak up,
A right time to love and another to hate,
A right time to wage war and another to make peace.
But in the end, does it really make a difference what anyone does? I've had a good look at what God has given us to do--busywork, mostly. True, God made everything beautiful in itself and in its time--but he's left us in the dark, so we can never know what God is up to, whether he's coming or going. I've decided that there's nothing better to do than go ahead and have a good time and get the most we can out of life. That's it--eat, drink, and make the most of your job. It's God's gift.
I've also concluded that whatever God does, that's the way it's going to be, always. No addition, no subtraction. God's done it and that's it. That's so we'll quit asking questions and simply worship in holy fear.
Whatever was, is.
Whatever will be, is.
That's how it always is with God.
Time, time, time. It means so much to so many...but what does it mean to the one that created it. I was reminded on this day of Ecclesiastes 3, where we learn a little lesson about time. I thought I would share it here. It spoke to me and gave me some perspective on this day. Whether or not it is a special day is dependant on what time it is!
Ecclesiastes 3:1-15
There's an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth:
A right time for birth and another for death,
A right time to plant and another to reap,
A right time to kill and another to heal,
A right time to destroy and another to construct,
A right time to cry and another to laugh,
A right time to lament and another to cheer,
A right time to make love and another to abstain,
A right time to embrace and another to part,
A right time to search and another to count your losses,
A right time to hold on and another to let go,
A right time to rip out and another to mend,
A right time to shut up and another to speak up,
A right time to love and another to hate,
A right time to wage war and another to make peace.
But in the end, does it really make a difference what anyone does? I've had a good look at what God has given us to do--busywork, mostly. True, God made everything beautiful in itself and in its time--but he's left us in the dark, so we can never know what God is up to, whether he's coming or going. I've decided that there's nothing better to do than go ahead and have a good time and get the most we can out of life. That's it--eat, drink, and make the most of your job. It's God's gift.
I've also concluded that whatever God does, that's the way it's going to be, always. No addition, no subtraction. God's done it and that's it. That's so we'll quit asking questions and simply worship in holy fear.
Whatever was, is.
Whatever will be, is.
That's how it always is with God.
posted by Steve at
7/18/2005
3 Comments:
I've just finished listening to a sermon series (via iTunes Podcast) by Pastor Greg Laurie. He was teaching on the book of Ecclesiastes. I found it quite intriguing, especially since the wisest man in the world did some of the dumbest things ever recorded in the Bible.
As I read this exerpt from the book of Ecclesiastes, my first thought is to begin humming that old song ("To everything, turn... turn... turn...").
But once I get that out of my head, I'm reminded that nothing in the book of Ecclesiastes can be interpreted, unless it is first seen in the light of the last few verses in that book, "the conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person." (12:13 NASB)
It is apparent that the whole gospel is contingent upon man's voluntary obedience to the Lord. This is especially pretinent, since God exists outside of space AND time.
So I wonder... How much of my day's barometer is influenced by God's sovereign timing, and how much of it is dependant on my daily obedience, and His response to that spiritual act of worship?
Something to think about, I guess...
TIME is a deep concept. I have also read that selection in Ecclesiastes. Thanks for sharing that. Here's a great song, and great lyrics, by a great band that brings me closer to God's will, about TIME.
TIME [boy george & culture club]
Don’t put your head on my shoulder
Sink me in a river of tears
This could be the best place yet
But you must overcome your fears
Chorus 1:
In time it could have been so much more
The time is precious I know
In time it could have been so much more
The time has nothing to show
Chorus 2:
Because time won’t give me time
And time makes lovers feel
Like they’ve got something real
But you and me we know
They’ve got nothing but time
And time won’t give me time
Won’t give me time
Don’t make me feel any colder
Time is like a clock in my heart
Touch we touch was the heat too much
I felt I lost you from the start
............DEEP STUFF!
uh...yeah. Boy George??
I was going for The Byrds, but hey... whatever works for ya' rover...
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home