US columnist CAROL ROUND, in an article first published on ASSIST News Service, reflects on a famous passage in Ecclesiastes…
Grove, Oklahoma, US
Via ASSIST News Service
“There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven”– Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NLT).
Autumnal colour. PICTURE: Jeremy Thomas/Unsplash
It’s that time of the year when God shows off. Leaves are changing from green to glorious reds, yellows and orange in north-eastern Oklahoma. It’s also my favourite season, even if it means raking the dried brown leaves, litter from the oak trees that also grace my yard.
Some prefer the warmer temperatures of spring and summer. While most of autumn’s weather is milder, to me it is a time for reflection. As the trees shed their leaves, I like to think this is a season for my own shedding – shedding past hurts and letting go of those things holding me back from God’s best.
As Ecclesiastes 3:6 says, “A time to search and a time to lose. A time to keep and a time to throw away.” For me, that is what this season is all about.
A time for reflection
I recently visited my friend, Josie, who is living in an assisted living facility. If I am feeling down, this 90-year-old woman can cheer me up by just spending time in her presence. In spite of the pain and discomfort she experiences because of her aging body, Josie never fails to bring joy to those around her.
During our recent visit, we talked about her only child, a daughter, who was celebrating her 50th birthday on 17th October. Laughing, Josie said, “It’s easy to keep track of Monica’s age because we’re 40 years apart.”
Josie loves to reflect on the day she brought Monica home from the hospital. Although I’ve heard the story before, I love watching the sparkle in her eyes as she describes that time in her life.
A time for everything
My sister and I were recently discussing our children’s ages. Her son will turn 40 next month. We discussed the passing of time. It seemed like yesterday the three ornery cousins were getting in trouble at their grandparents’ house. Their grandmother, our mother, would often comment about the difference in raising boys and girls.
Our mother has been gone 15 years. I can easily remember the year of her passing because it coincided with the birth of my first grandchild, my mother’s second great-granddaughter.
During our conversation about the passing of time, my sister said, “It just doesn’t seem possible. Hopefully, I can make it until Rusty’s 60th birthday. I’d like to see that as well as all my grandkids graduate. Maybe a great grandkid or two.” I agreed with her.
A time to be born
My youngest grandchild, Ruby, was born last year. Her oldest sibling just turned 16. If I live as long as my friend, Josie, I might see Ruby graduate, get married and have children. Only God knows.
Before God formed us in the womb, He knew us. He even knows the number of hairs on our head (Matthew 10:30).
God has also predetermined the day we will take our last breath. Job 14:5 says, “A person’s days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed (NIV).
A time to live
The hyphen that separates our birthday from the day we die is decreed by God. However, it’s our choice to live for Him, no matter the span of years we’re allowed.
During that time span, we can move through the days, weeks and years with an inward assurance and a peaceful heart that He is in control. Our life is in His hands.
If we put our trust in His plans and purposes, giving thanks for all He has done and will do in our lives, in time we will certainly see how His perfect timing has ordered every detail of our lives.
