To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. (Ecc 3:1-8)
Well, I know I've written a devotional on these verses before, but for some reason known only to God, I can't seem to find it. I'm guessing that means I'm supposed write a new one! Those of you who grew up in the 60's will remember well the song "Turn, Turn, Turn" recorded by The Byrds. It is taken entirely from the verses above (so, in essence, God wrote a folk song). These verses give us the a subtile look into the timeline God uses for each of us. No, he does not give us dates, but he does tell us what our journey will be.
From the time we are born to the time we die, we have a destiny designed for us specifically. Each facet of our lives is scripted by him. He created us. We know that there are times in our lives that are pleasant and there are times that are sad. We rejoice and we mourn. We laugh and we cry. We give and we receive. And so goes the verses.
Throughout all of our lives, there is one constant - that is our creator. Our Father in Heaven has designed a way for us to join him in his kingdom. That "way" is the only way! Through Jesus' death on the cross and resurrection from the dead, we are given the opportunity to follow. We have been called.
Every "season" that comes our way is one blessed by God! From the warmth of a summer day, to the cool breezes of autumn, to the bitter cold of winter, to the NEWNESS of spring. Christ's blood makes us new. One day we will be completely new - but only after we have experienced all seasons of our lives.
