There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under Heaven."
- Ecclesiastes 3:1
How many times have we heard that verse? I for one have heard it at weddings, and funerals, and of course at church. Whenever something bad happens people always seem to say, "there is a season for everything." This statement isn't limited to just Christians. No, believers and non-believers alike use it almost automatically when they don't know what else to say. Perhaps this is because the Byrds used the phrase in their 1960s hit appropriately named "There Is A Season," turn, turn turn. I think you get might know it.
Aside from John 3:16, I think Ecclesiastes 3:1 may be the most overused passage in scripture. Not that that's a bad thing. After all, ALL scripture is God-breathed and is usual for teaching rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. It just seems that some passages are a little more popular than others. You don't often here someone say, "Well let me quote this verse in Obediah." Ha!
Perhaps that is why the power of Ecclesiastes 3:1 gets deluded. The verses following aren't quite as often quoted in the secular realm, but do precede at weddings and funerals. They are chalked full of wisdom and hope.
How many times have we heard that verse? I for one have heard it at weddings, and funerals, and of course at church. Whenever something bad happens people always seem to say, "there is a season for everything." This statement isn't limited to just Christians. No, believers and non-believers alike use it almost automatically when they don't know what else to say. Perhaps this is because the Byrds used the phrase in their 1960s hit appropriately named "There Is A Season," turn, turn turn. I think you get might know it.
Aside from John 3:16, I think Ecclesiastes 3:1 may be the most overused passage in scripture. Not that that's a bad thing. After all, ALL scripture is God-breathed and is usual for teaching rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. It just seems that some passages are a little more popular than others. You don't often here someone say, "Well let me quote this verse in Obediah." Ha!
Perhaps that is why the power of Ecclesiastes 3:1 gets deluded. The verses following aren't quite as often quoted in the secular realm, but do precede at weddings and funerals. They are chalked full of wisdom and hope.
" a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant, a time to uproot.
a time to kill, a time to heal
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
But next, comes my favorite in verse 11: "for he has made everything beautiful in it's time."
Like you I have heard these words; I have even memorized these verses but like so many other passages in scripture, I didn't truly understand the depth of this verse until tonight. You see, after a desert like Moses', a flood like Noah's, wall's like Jericho's, giants like Goliath, lion's like Daniel's, fish like Jonah's and tests like Job's, my family is forever changed. The seasons have come and gone and we are learning that God truly makes everything beautiful in his time.
And so now you'll understand why tomorrow is such a big day. The seasons are turning for my family. The promise land in in sight, the waters have receded, the walls have tumbled, the giant is dead, the seasons have changed and Jesus is Lord!!
Tomorrow morning, my dad will be sharing his testimony (our family's testimony in many ways) to two churches in Lexington. He will talk about losing a business and two homes in a year's time. He will talk about an accident that almost claimed his life, an illness that nearly took his son, and a minor medical emergency that all occurred within two months of each other. He will talk about the pit of despair, crying out in anger, clinging to faith, and rejoicing in God's provision. He will talk about the storm that continues to pass and the cleft in which we all take refuge as we wait.
My dad and mom are a Picture Of Grace. And I stand in awe of their faith in this season of despair.
I want each of you to know that you are a picture of grace, faith, and strength. You are not only a testament to God's faith, you an example to every person watching you. You will never know the people who call me just to comment on you. The world is watching and you are shining.
You are an example of what I want to become, and I have never been more proud to be your daughter. I pray that as Eric and I face our own seasons of adversities, we will do it with the grace and beauty in which you have set an example. I pray my own son will walk with Christ so closely as each of you. I know this season has been difficult, but God has made it beautiful in his time and I like to think that when we all get to heaven God will add your names to Wall Of Faith in Hebrews 11.
I know beyond a shadow of doubt that he will say, "Well done my good and faithful servants."
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