Ecclesiastes 3:1-15
Saturday, 8 May 2021
There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven. -Ecclesiastes 3:1
How beautifully the Heavenly Father has weaved together the four seasons – spring, summer, autumn and winter (Genesis 1:14) in creation. Each season is unique and has its purpose: Spring is a time of new beginnings- the season when farmers plant seedlings. Summer is the season of toil when the planted seeds grow and mature. Autumn is the season of harvest when the ripened crops are harvested. Winter is the season of rest and recuperation. If God so marvelously created the seasons of the earth, how much more intricately would the Master Craftsman who knit you together in your mother’s womb, have divinely ordained the seasons of your life!
Just as the seasons of the earth change, we move through a cycle of life from infancy to childhood to teenage to young adulthood to middle age and elderly years. You may be at a season of embracing parenthood with your newborn or an apprehensive parent with a teenager leaving for college. You may be at a point of dealing with an illness or at a time of recuperation. Maybe you are a youth minister enthusiastically embarking on a mission or a seasoned minister in the last leg of your current ministry. In each of these seasons, God has a purpose for us. We need to acknowledge like Solomon that God ‘has made everything beautiful and appropriate in its time.’ (Eccl 3:11)
In Eccl 3:2-8 the Teacher introduces 14 contrasting seasons of life which relate to our body, soul, and spirit.
Pertaining to the body (Eccl 3:2-3) The first four contrasts of seasons relate to the physical. ‘Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them.’ (Psalm 139:16)
Pertaining to the soul (Eccl 3:4-6): These emotional experiences should strengthen our soul to glorify God. ‘You have turned my mourning into dancing for me; You have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, That my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.’ (Psalm 30:11-12)
Pertaining to the spirit (Eccl 3:7-8): There is a time of growing in spiritual maturity for every believer. ‘Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.’ (2 Peter 2:2-3)
Everyone has to face life’s varied seasons. See the Israelite story in Pentateuch: first the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham of a generation (numerous as the stars) being born and initially enjoying privilege in Egypt. Then there was a period of slavery and bondage, a time of divine deliverance, a season of pruning in the wilderness, a spring time of entering the Promised Land followed by a summer of labor conquering the Land.
However often in the summer of toil or winter of pain we question the Lord of all seasons, on how long the wait or why the sorrow? Beloved, do not fret or despair!— know that your life is lovingly designed by the Heavenly Father with a divine plan. Wait on God’s perfect time; through each season seeking Him and being obedient to Him brings fruitfulness. Let us learn to be faithful stewards of the time and seasons entrusted to us, seeing life in the light of eternity with God (Eccl 3:12).
No matter what season of life you are at, accept and fully embrace it knowing that the Father has a will for you through this season. And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)
Prayer: Heavenly Father, enable me to embrace the varied seasons you have ordained in my life. May the seasons and experiences of my life bring honor and glory to you alone. In Jesus’ name. Amen
Listen: ‘Great is Thy faithfulness’