Growing with God: A daily devotional with Tonia Slimm.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:
Ecclesiastes 3:1 (MSG)
There’s an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth:
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“There is a season (a time appointed) for everything and a time for every delight and event or purpose under heaven—” -AMPLIFIED
“What then is time? If no one asks me, I know what it is. If I wish to explain it to him who asks, I do not know.” ~Augustine
Time: a systematic measurement of events, past, present and future. Merriam-Webster defines time as:
“the measured or measurable period during which an action, process, or condition exists or continues.” ~Merriam-Webster
Mankind lives in the parameters of time; its restrictions and guidelines. But God; God does not. He exists outside the bounds of time. Scripture tells us this about God and time:
“For You a thousand years is like a day when it is over, a watch during the night; there is no difference to You.” -Psalm 90:4 (VOICE)
“Don’t overlook the obvious here, friends. With God, one day is as good as a thousand years, a thousand years as a day. God isn’t late with his promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn’t want anyone lost. He’s giving everyone space and time to change.” -2 Peter 3:8-9 (MSG)
“Time is given us to use in view of eternity.” ~Harry Ironside
“For everything that happens in life—there is a season, a right time for everything under heaven:” -(VOICE)
The Teacher now begins a very deep discussion about time; specifically that there is a time and a season for everything. As has been stated mankind lives in the parameters of time; God does not. The Teachers frustration was in the fact that he could not change the cycle or circle of life. Hence, why he reminds us that there is a time and a season for everything. This was part of the lesson that he learned. People have little control over time and change. What we do have control over is how we act or react to situations.
“There is a right time for everything:” -(TLB)
We all have but one life to live; one life that can make a difference in the World. There are no re-do’s with life; no reincarnation. Once we have lived it, then there is eternity.
“For He [graciously] remembered that they were mere [human] flesh, a wind that goes and does not return.” -Psalm 78:39 (AMP)
“Life, lovely while it lasts, is soon over.
Life as we know it, precious and beautiful, ends.
The body is put back in the same ground it came from.
The spirit returns to God, who first breathed it.” -Ecclesiastes 12:7 (MSG)
“People die once, and after that they are judged.” -Hebrews 9:27-28 (GW)
It stands to reason that if we only have one life to live, then we need to live it wisely. We need to be using our time shrewdly. The Apostle Paul wrote this word of caution to the Ephesian church:
“Make the most of every living and breathing moment because these are evil times.” -Ephesians 5:16 (VOICE)
To the church in Colossae he wrote:
“Conduct yourself with wisdom in your interactions with outsiders (non-believers), make the most of each opportunity [treating it as something precious].” -Colossians 4:5 (AMP)
To the church in Corinth he wrote:
“I do want to point out, friends, that time is of the essence. There is no time to waste, so don’t complicate your lives unnecessarily. Keep it simple—in marriage, grief, joy, whatever. Even in ordinary things—your daily routines of shopping, and so on. Deal as sparingly as possible with the things the world thrusts on you. This world as you see it is on its way out.” -1 Corinthians 7:29-31 (MSG)
It was Moses who prayed and asked the Lord to help the people of Israel to understand and realize the shortness of life. Moses prayed:
“Teach us to number our days and recognize how few they are; help us to spend them as we should.” -Psalm 90:12 (TLB)
“Time is your most precious gift, because you only have a set amount of it.”
~Rick Warren
My friend, time is precious; use it wisely. Take advantage of every opportunity that God opens up for you. Experience life; live it with a good attitude and be thankful for each moment that He has blessed you with.
“Time is lost when we have not lived a full human life, time unenriched by experience, creative endeavor, enjoyment, and suffering.” ~Dietrich Bonhoeffer
My Prayer:
Heavenly Father, help me to use the time that you have given to me wisely. I do not know how long my time will last, but you do, Lord and I want to be a good steward of it. Let me wisely live life to the fullest, enjoying and finding things to be thankful for every moment of every day. You have blessed me with so much. Thank you. May my attitude be one of thanksgiving and gratefulness. Be glorified in my life, I pray.
Growing with God 