A Time for Everything
1 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 throw 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 throw 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. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)
Working overtime, running out of time, wasting time, spending time, taking time, making time, having time. We have a love/hate relationship with time. When we are young, time can't move fast enough, but as we age, it seems that we never have enough time. Time can seem like a gift or a curse.
As we approach the close of one year and the start of the next - resolving to be or do things better or differently - we might consider the ways that we use the time we've been given. Replacing worry over what has happened or might happen with gratitude for all God has done will fill our time with joy. Shifting our thoughts from criticism of self, and others, to forgiveness and grace-giving will fill our time with peace. There is nothing we can do to shield ourselves from all hardship or pain, but trusting God to carry us through will fill our time with hope. Intentionally being of service and help to others will fill our time with love. Life is full of things we can't control, but we can always control our attitude. All our time is in God's caring hands, freeing us to live in joy, peace, hope and love - which is always time well spent.
9 What gain have the workers from their toil? 10 I have seen the business that God has given to everyone to be busy with. 11 He has made everything suitable for its time; moreover he has put a sense of past and future into their minds, yet they cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for them than to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live; 13 moreover, it is God's gift that all should eat and drink and take pleasure in all their toil.
(Ecclesiastes 3:9-13)
