Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 (NKJV) Everything Has Its Time
To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:
2 A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted;
3 A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up;
4 A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance;
5 A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing; 6 A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away;
7 A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak;
8 A time to love, And a time to hate; A time of war, And a time of peace.
9 What profit has the worker from that in which he labors? 10 I have seen the God-given task with which the sons of men are to be occupied. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.
How many times do you look at your watch each day? Probably hundreds of times per day. What is this obsession with knowing the time? There are companies who make special watches to cater to this obsession. Ecclesiastes speaks of all types of times. Times to do many different things including a time to die.
What time is it for you now? A time to build? A time to plant? A time to mourn? A time to heal? A time to laugh? A time to speak? What season of life are you in?
Are you giving your attention to the right thing at the right time? Life is hectic. We go through our days doing the urgent but not the important. Can we change our priorities to do better things? How can we know what is best? Luke 10:42 says, “But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” Have you chosen the good part or are you just hurrying along trying to complete your to-do list?
Jesus gave us the insight we need. Sitting at His feet is the good part. Instead of rushing through your day, maybe you should start it earlier and slower. If you are a morning person, get up earlier than the rest and spend quiet time with the LORD. And if you are really quiet, with an open mind and heart, and listen very carefully, He will share the plans He has for you. They are good plans. His way is always better. When you go His way, He will open doors that no one can shut. He will lead you to people. He will take you places. He loves you. He will never leave nor forsake you. He will be with you in all the times of your life. When all else is done and you come to the time to die, He will be with you too! In fact, He will take you to be with Him where he is, in His Father’s house. There, you will be with Him forever!
Lord, It’s me. I have trouble believing You love us that much. Quiet our hearts from the doubts and open it to Your love. You have put eternity in our hearts. Silence the voice that tells us we will never be good enough. Remind us that our time is to be spent with You! That is the always best choice!