There is a time… « Worship is Life

There is a time…

April 18, 2009 · Filed under Uncategorized

Another chapter is coming to a close. Another verse has been sang. Another bell has been rang. As we continue to pray and fast, seeking God’s will, I am steadily reminded of familiar words from Ecclesiastes…

Ecclesiastes 3 (MSG)

   1 There’s an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth:   2 -8 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.

^{9 -13} 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.

  ¹⁴ 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.
   ¹⁵ Whatever was, is.
   Whatever will be, is.
   That’s how it always is with God.

While this passage of scripture sometimes hurts, it’s a fact of life. God has perfect timing and we do not. What God has willed and planned will be brought forth in due time, as joyful or painful as it may be for us. As God’s plan for our lives continues to unfold, I hold this word from Ecclesiastes 3 close to my heart. I know that if there is a tough time ahead, I also know that there will be a good time ahead also. If there’s crying ahead, the laughter is soon to follow.

We pray that God’s will and plan be steadfast in your lives and ours.

Always In Christ,