East to West (again and again) - Ecclesiastes #9


Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

To everything there is a season,

A time for every purpose under heaven:

2 A time to be born, And a time to die;
A time to plant, And a time to pluck 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;
A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;
6 A time to gain, 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 of war, And a time of peace.


Maybe the 1960s hit from the Byrds flows through your head when you read this passage. Another song that comes to my mind is from the acclaimed musical Fiddler on the Roof, “Sunrise, Sunset.” Consider this lyric: “Sunrise, sunset, Sunrise, sunset; Swiftly fly the years. One season following another, Laden with happiness and tears.” Truly, through the years there are times for tears and times for laughter, and many of these moments become treasured memories. My youngest daughter is sleeping in our bed, and I reminisce about our oldest boys doing the same thing many years ago. My 16-year-old just earned his driver’s license, and I fondly remember getting my license decades ago.

Just like my memories (and your memories), the items in this poem scream the passing of our lives. We don’t get to embrace the good side of the list while setting aside the negative, it’s all part of being human. Sometimes these things are something we can control, such as weeping and laughing, being quiet and speaking, loving and hating. Other times, such as war and peace, out of our control and one of these impossible this side of Heaven (apologies to Pete Seeger—true peace will not happen apart from Christ).

These things may seem to happen randomly and may make us gobsmacked, but nothing shocks God. He knows all and sees all, so recognize that His judgment and knowledge sustain us. Whether it’s a job promotion, or an auto accident, or a birth of a grandchild, or stage four cancer, place your hope in God. “But those who wait on (hope in) the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).

In Christ Alone,

Dan

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Baptist in a Pentecostal Wilderness (opinion alert)

Image
ow can a Baptist pastor lead his church to engage in vibrant ministry in a town full of Pentecostals? Even many of the heathens would picture a Pentecostal church as the one they would attend if they ever did. On top of that, I'm currently pastoring a church that has been in decline for more than a decade, and is still licking their wounds over a series of hellish protests by former members and guests (particularly at a business meeting almost a decade ago). Some of these former members and guests are related to many in town or at least are more popular than we are, so the church has developed a bad reputation in town. Much of this reputation is undeserved, but some of it probably is. We have mercy ministries like a food pantry and clothing closet, but they don't seem to reach this community as well as we would desire. Many in town want the church to die, and if things continue to go the way they have we eventually will. When I have these thoughts of discouragement, I stand on ...
Read more

Is Preaching a Tiring Task? (opinion alert)

Image
  hat a privilege I had to attend a wonderful one day conference centered on expository preaching, the Priority of Preaching conference sponsored by Oklahoma Baptists. And at a location within an hour from my house! It seemed like over 500 men were there learning, getting a checkup, maybe critiquing the presenters, maybe all of the above? Anyway, I didn't quite know what to expect, but I was flabbergasted to see that many in attendance! And all ages of grown men, it brings hope! I'll be spending today going through my notes of the event and applying them to my weekly preparation. I hemmed and hawed about going, thinking it wouldn't be much of a help. I already preach expositionally, there are other areas in ministry where (I think) I could use more help, and it's, seemingly, the area hardly anyone in the congregation cares about.  Then generally, it's sort of strange a conference like this even happens. Preaching is often seen as a expectation of the old-timers and ...
Read more