"He has made everything appropriate in its time.
He has also set eternity in their heart."
Ecclesiastes 3:12

My Pondering

As Solomon teaches us, gifted by God as the wisest of all, we need to understand time has rhythm. Time has its seasons. A time for this and a time for that.

1To everything there is a season,

and a time for every purpose under heaven:

2a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,

3a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to break down and a time to build,

4a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,

5a time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

6a time to search and a time to count as lost,

a time to keep and a time to discard,

7a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,

8a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace.

Solomon, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Time is limited and time is also eternal (a great paradox) as we are hybrid beings; possessing both a physical and spiritual composition.

I really like this quote:

If we lose sight of eternity because of a myopic focus on the present moment, we will lose out on the greater plan God has in store for us.

When seeking and living out your destiny, always remember that it is inextricably tied to eternity.

Tony Evans

Our relation to time is some combination of past, present and future.

Successful people keep those in appropriate contexts and prioritize. In our physical nature, the present is paramount. We need to live and love in the now. No time like the present. It's a precious gift, so let's use it well.

Timing is an essential ingredient in everything, in all facets of our life. Consider how time relates to these dichotomies:

  • Work / Rest
  • Now / Later
  • Yesterday / Tomorrow
  • Peace / War
  • Abundance / Scarcity
  • Summer / Winter
  • Spring / Fall
  • Progress / Setback
  • Success / Challenge
  • Pleasure / Pain
  • Up / Down
  • Present / Eternity
  • Thinking / Imagination
  • Math / Philosophy
  • More / Less
  • Health / Sickness
  • Strength / Weakness
  • Humility / Pride
  • Multiplication / Division
  • Plans / Serendipity
  • Effort / Providence
  • Faith / Works
  • Sleep / Woke

In proper context, in God's timing, in understanding the big picture we need both sides. These aren't rights / wrongs but rather good / great.

God's speed is perfect under each particular circumstance. The better we can sync our actions to God's speed, the greater our impact for His glory shall be. We have to realize there is a lot we can not control yet there is also a lot we can influence.

Ultimately, God's way are higher then our ways. God way are mysterious at times. He is not bound by time yet He created it and thus relates to us by it.

Yes - we need to use our faculties and tools, yet ultimately we need to trust God for His timing, His provision, His way is best.

These three verses, one from the old and two from the new sum this up succinctly:

5Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

and lean not on your own understanding;

6in all your ways acknowledge Him,

and He will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6

28And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:28

'For in Him we live and move and have our being.'

Acts 17:28a

As far as our lives:

"If it's to be, it's up to me and He.
A lot more He than me but I thank God it's We"
- Kirk A Booher

In the aforementioned quote: God and I (or you) both represent the 'We'. The first letter and capital 'W' is for 'Wonderful' and 'Winner' 🥇 God and the second letter, the connected smaller case 'e' which stands for 'engaged'. Engaged has in position to by Groom and engaged as in actively serving. That 'e' is for me (or you).

My Prayer

Time is precious but not near as precious as You my God. Nothing compares to You. Please help me to use my time wisely.