There is a Time and a Season

Mark Twain said, “Life would be infinitely happier if we could only be born at the age of eighty and gradually approach eighteen.” Life is full of events with a combination of contrasts.

The author of Ecclesiastes, believed to be Solomon, illustrates this truth in chapter 3 by comparing the opposites: fourteen pairs of contrasting activities as examples of how life is comprised of various seasons. A straightforward reading of the passage reveals that there are good and bad events listed. He is not justifying one over the other, rather states that God's plan for life involves a variety of experiences and activities. Weeping may be part of life, but life is not all weeping; laughter has its place. Construction is good in its time, but sometimes deconstruction is unavoidable. Wars may not be good, but become a reality at times.

Everyone goes through good times and bad times; together they make up the season of life. It's not the times of our lives that shape us, but the seasons shape our lives. We cannot live only just for the good times while bad times are real. It takes both to make a life. You may not like the time, but you can enjoy the season.

The writer notes with a promising point at the end that there is beauty in time. "God has made everything beautiful in its time" (Eccl 3:11). The proper activity at the right time, bringing about God’s purposes, is a beautiful part of God’s overall plan. The word "beautiful" in this context has also been translated by some as "fitting". There is a fitting point in time that God has determined something should happen. The most beutiful thing God has done is that He made you and me fitting in His great plan. Now we are here at this place, on this day of this year, waiting for another year to dawn. God excels in making all things new and He makes all things beautiful.

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Blessings

Mathew Philip

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