What time is it?
(NRSV)Ecc 3:1 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.
In 1965 The Byrds released the song “Turn, Turn, Turn.” The tune was melodic, but even better were the lyrics which came straight from the Bible.
“To everything, turn , turn, turn, there is a season, turn, turn, turn, and a time for every purpose under heaven.”
It occurs to me that I generally know what time it is. I am aware of the seasons, and the time of day, but there are some things I do not know.
I do know that we, in the United States, are experiencing summer, and living in Arkansas I expect the season to be sweltering. But I do not know, for certain, what each day will bring. I know what is on my calendar, what is planned, but what about the unplanned?
I have been remembering the old songs of the church, and today the one that comes immediately to mind is “Living by Faith,” by James Wells and R. E. Winsett.
1. I care not today what the morrow may bring,
If shadow or sunshine or rain,
The Lord I know ruleth o’er everything,
And all of my worries are vain.
Refrain:
Living by faith in Jesus above,
Trusting, confiding in His great love;
I’m safe from all harm,
in His sheltering arm,
I’m living by faith and feel no alarm.
What time is it? Regardless of what time it is, David said in Psalm 31:15 “my times are in your hands.” May we bow before the most high God today and every day, recognizing, as Job did in (NRSV) Job1:21 “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there; the LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
- Posted in: Blogs
Seeking Holiness 