God of the Journey, walk closely with this dear reader today and all days; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from Ecclesiastes 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. 9 What gain have the workers from their toil? 10 I have seen the business that God has given to everyone to be busy with. 11 He has made everything suitable for its time; moreover he has put a sense of past and future into their minds, yet they cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for them than to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live; 13 moreover, it is God's gift that all should eat and drink and take pleasure in all their toil.
In 1959, Pete Seeger, "wrote" a song called, "Turn, Turn, Turn (To Everything There is a Season) and donated 45% of the profits from the song to a group in Israel because he said, "I only wrote six words!" The song most people have heard was the version recorded by The Byrds in 1965. The rest comes from this passage. This passage comes from, we believe, the wisdom of King Solomon. It is a psalm of reflection on life. It is an appropriate reflection at this point of our year. It puts life into perspective, for in life there is a time for everything; some good, some not so good, and some we consider bad. We find all of that in the first eight verses. From verse nine on, it is a reflection on our duty and obligation to be aware of what God has done, is doing, and will do, in our midst. The writer knew as should we, that life as it happens, happens with God being present to comfort and sustain us. And our celebrations should also include our reflection of God's blessing and presence in our lives.
As we count down the days of this year and begin looking forward to the New, remember God has been and is present with us. We can't go back and undo or bring back those old days. Time marches on. So should we.
PRAYER: Loving God, as life marches on, help us in our journey. Give us strength, comfort, joy, peace and hope for each day. Let us share those same things with others. In Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
