Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:
A time to be born, And a time to die;
A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted;
A time to kill, And a time to heal;
A time to break down, And a time to build up;
A time to weep, And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, And a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to gain, And a time to lose;
A time to keep, And a time to throw away;
A time to tear, And a time to sew;
A time to keep silence, And a time to speak;
A time to love, And a time to hate;
A time of war, And a time of peace. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (KJV)
This bible verse has the distinction of being the oldest lyrics of any song to hit #1 on the US Pop Singles Chart. And it stayed there for three weeks! The song was written in 1959 by Pete Seeger as a folk tune. The lyrics are almost word-for-word from the King James Bible. It wasn’t until 1965 that The Byrds reworked the music to make it the smash hit “Turn, Turn, Turn”. I didn’t realize the connection until I started working on this devotion and thought, “hey, that sounds really familiar.” It’s a great song and can be found on YouTube if you’re interested. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xkx0SuEGMOc)
Written by Solomon, Ecclesiastes starts with, “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” Apparently, he was having a down day – a theme for much of the book. In our verses for today, he is pondering on the cyclical nature of time and some of the many dichotomies we face. In other words: stuff happens, and we have to deal with it.
Luckily, we are not alone. God is always with us, calling us to live fully in each moment, and trust in His plan. Experiencing emotional and spiritual highs and lows can distract us from God. At the end of chapter 3, Solomon states,
“What profit has the worker from that in which he labors? I have seen the God-given task with which the sons of men are to be occupied. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end. I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives, and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor—it is the gift of God.
By staying mindful of today and seeking Him in every moment, we can experience the fullness of His love and purpose for our lives. Stay present, trust God, and let His peace be our guide.
To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time to every purpose under heaven.
Questions for Reflection:
- Do you get caught up in the “seasons” of life?
- How can you change your focus to God?
Prayer:
Hey God, as I experience the different “seasons” in my life, help me to remember that You are my guiding light. Stuff happens and sometimes it’s out of my control. Lead me on Your path and keep my focus on the good things that you provide. Amen.
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