MONDAY: WHAT TIME IS IT?

Oct 17, 2022
2 min read

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

To every thing there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die; A time to plant, and a time to pluck what 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; A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to gain, and a time to lose; A time to keep, and a time to throw away; A time to tear, 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.

Do I know what time it is? If I look around, I can determine the time, the season, and the purpose under heaven. While there are times that I don’t care for, such as death, weeping, mourning, losing, and war, they serve a purpose as well. If I didn’t go through times like these, then the times of birth, laughing, dancing, gaining, and peace wouldn’t have the same uplifting impact as they do. If I hadn’t been in the valley, I wouldn’t understand the blessing of the mountaintop. If there is a time to love, then there is also a time to hate. I know that God hates sin, and I mourn over my sin. During these times, I might not want to be embraced, or I might desire silence.

THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS

If Jesus had not been crucified, He could not have been resurrected. When I go through a difficult time, I can look forward to whatever God is going to do to bring me through it. If I rebel against the season, telling God it isn’t just or fair, then I’m telling God that His plan is not right for my life. I should know better than that by now, but it seems like a continuous cycle that comes and goes. The lesson I learn is God’s plan for my life includes many uncomfortable, negative experiences. Each of these is a lesson for me, so I can better enjoy God’s amazing blessings.

Lord, thank You for each negative experience in my life, which helps me enjoy Your blessings all the more! Amen.

May you be blessed,

Chaplain Wayne Ruckman