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There is a time, a place, and a person.
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
2 a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up 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 together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast 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 for war, and a time for peace. Ecc. 3:1-8
Such beautiful, thought provoking scripture – words that increase our wisdom the more we contemplate them. We are reminded of David and his desire to meditate on the word of God daily? (Psalms 119:97)
We need these regular reminders. In a world of “moving parts” we must often find the best in any given situation. From a teacher's perspective each moment is one to be used in learning. Is it any different as a father? A son? A husband? A brother? A child of God? "As the Lord wills" should be the essence of who you and I are.
At certain times of the year I find my mind wandering. Likely you might have experienced such retrospection yourself. Twenty years ago something happened that forever impacted my life. How I have dealt with this defines the person I am today. I am sure other people have had such an experience that provides a focal point to provide clarity of the purpose in their life. Oftentimes these experiences might be heightened by major life events and choices.
When thinking of my own personal experience I often find my thoughts turn to Job. Like Job I sometimes wonder “Why me? Why then?” But then I realize what vanity! How could my own minor trials even begin to compare to those of Job and others? Yet Job's actions in his sufferings do provide the example of how we should live in the face of life's challenges. Job stands out but he is among a long list of those Biblical people from whom we can learn.
The message is simple and true. There is a time for every season. Every person must also take advantage of the situations (opportunities) given him or her by the Lord. In the Bible we find some of great examples of those caught in a situation where they likely wondered what this is all about.
Recall the story of Jonah--do you think he could have foreseen himself in the belly of a fish? Yet there he was, swallowed whole! Surely he was terrified in that situation. Was he thinking “this is the end?” No. As he found the weeds wrapping his head we see him turn to prayer unto the Lord.Jonah 2:1-10
How many times have we found ourselves in a desperate situation? Rather than turning to the surety of the Almighty we might seek for wisdom in man's writings. Though God has blessed man with intelligence man is still only the creation. He does not possess the wisdom nor power of God. At stressful times we can question the uncertainty of our own bad choices, or we can seek the goodness of God’s grace. Which option provides the greatest likelihood for guidance and understanding?
Perhaps one of the greatest examples of humility in service to God lies in a study of Joseph. A man, who even in youth, felt himself destined for greatness, after the outspoken expression of his trust in God to deliver and bless we find his life taking the seemingly unfortunate path of fear, servitude and incarceration. Did Joseph ever forget his Lord? Not in the least! We admire his undying, ever growing trust in the great I AM. Joseph's trust paralleled his blessings of life. How many of us follow Joseph's example?
Of course often the blessings of which we speak are physical in nature. We should appreciate the worldly blessings but like all the men of old we should look with joy to a greater spiritual future. God loved us so much that He gave His only begotten Son to die for us. He sent the Holy Spirit to deliver His Word to us. Should we not look to such a Father who promises us much richer joys and an eternity with our Father, the Creator and King?
Though the world may see and question, ridicule and persecute, God Is and His way is that of eternity. For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.2 Cor. 5:1
We aspire to this spiritual habitation. Imagine the joy, the glory, to see this perfect world and to be enveloped within the eternal light of the Lord.
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid? Psalms 27:1
When we persevere in the Lord we know we will emerge victorious. We read between the lines to understand this great theme of the Bible. We never see a true child of God fall short of his goal--to claim eternal lodging in the bosom of the Lord. The race is not won by the swiftest but by those who persevere. Jacob became Israel, Stephen the first martyr, our Lord the perfect sacrifice. Wait on the Lord. We must live each day in holiness and faithfulness until that day when we take our final place amongst God’s chosen.
The constants in this timeless theme of life are that God loves us and blesses us with life; He has provided us with a marvelous world fitted for mankind in a perfectly balanced system; and God has provided us the path to follow. We are not perfect but we can commit with all of our being to do God's will. Jeremiah reminds us of the frailty of man--we are but the clay to be used by God, the potter, for His glory. Once we have finished this course, in Heaven we will receive that perfect new body fitted for the eternity.
Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.2 Tim.1:8-9
