151: For Everything There Is a Season {Ecclesiastes 3:1-15}

More often than not, the month of January feels like an odd, liminal space in my life. It’s a new year, yes; but I haven’t quite processed the last {because it was, last week}, and I certainly don’t feel ready for the next, even though hi hello it’s here. I feel the push and pull of it all, tugged back and forth. And it causes me to feel a little unsteady. Maybe you can relate?

Well, in light of this, today, I’m offering a simple reading of a passage of Scripture that shares a grounded perspective on time and life with God.

As I read, you’re invited to listen and notice what you notice. Once the reading is through, I’ll offer a few questions for reflection, as you consider the reminders God might have for you in this passage. Feel free to pause, to rewind, or even revisit as you see fit. As always, I hope it serves you well.

A reading from Ecclesiastes 3:1-15 as found in the New Living Translation:

For everything there is a season,
    a time for every activity under heaven.

2 

A time to be born and a time to die.
    A time to plant and a time to harvest.

3 

A time to kill and a time to heal.
    A time to tear down and a time to build up.

4 

A time to cry and a time to laugh.
    A time to grieve and a time to dance.

5 

A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.
    A time to embrace and a time to turn away.

6 

A time to search and a time to quit searching.
    A time to keep and a time to throw away.

7 

A time to tear and a time to mend.
    A time to be quiet and a time to speak.

8 

A time to love and a time to hate.
    A time for war and a time for peace.

9 What do people really get for all their hard work? 10 I have seen the burden God has placed on us all. 11 Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. 12 So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can. 13 And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.

14 And I know that whatever God does is final. Nothing can be added to it or taken from it. God’s purpose is that people should fear him. 15 What is happening now has happened before, and what will happen in the future has happened before, because God makes the same things happen over and over again.

This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

• Does anything stand out to you in this passage? Maybe a word, image or phrase? A feeling or a question? Take a moment to consider what that might be for you.

• What do you notice about your response to this passage? Do you resonate with it? Are you bothered by it? Both can be true, or you might notice something else entirely. Take a moment to welcome and sit with your response, whatever it may be.

• Now, consider your current life and circumstances. If it’s helpful, maybe even focus in on this very day. What reminder or invitation might God be offering you through these verses?

• Finally, as you reflect on that reminder or invitation, what do you need from God?

Today, may we trust God’s timing, discern God’s leading and enjoy the good gifts God gives, as together, we continue to become the people God calls and invites us to be.