” To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.”
[Ecclesiastes 3:1-9]
Ever since I can remember this particular song by The Byrds has been one of my favorites. You can imagine my amazement when I found out in my teen years that this song was taken out of scripture. Though I was amazed, I wasn’t surprised. I had always heard that God’s Word was a book full of great wisdom. Though, this may have been the first time that I realized that, even I could relate to the truths recorded in it’s pages.
As young as I was, I had lived long enough to observe that life is a series of ups and downs, gains and losses, and joys and sorrows. I wish I could say that at that moment my life was changed forever, that I was filled with an insatible hunger for God’s word, and that I dove in head first to find all it’s priceless treasures.
Well, that didn’t happen until later, but the seed that was planted by my parents was watered with grace and love, as God’s children have shown His glorious light into my life, and the seed grew.
No matter what season we are in right now, we can take comfort in the fact that we have God’s words of wisdom to get us through it. So let us look to the New Year with great enthusiasm. We can face any challenge as long as we keep looking to the source of our comfort and are willing to live by His words. With time, I have come to the same conclusion as king Solomon.
“What profit has he that works in that wherein he labors? I have seen the travail, which God has given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. He has made every thing beautiful in his time: also he has set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God makes from the beginning to the end. I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labor, it is the gift of God.” [Ecclesiastes 3:9-13] 12/31/05