If you’d like to join me for my weekly Scripture reflection series, I’ll be using the RSVCE of the Bible. Here is the entire Ecclesiastes III passage.
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven”
You’ve almost certainly heard the phrase ‘there is a time and place for everything.’ We often underestimate the importance of timing and get discouraged when something does not work out in our favor at a given point in time. However, we must believe and trust in God’s plan. If we are meant to achieve something, we will achieve it in time with His help. He asks us to lead lives guided by His Word, prayer, and faith in Christ, and all of this will lead to moral decision-making, sound judgement, and a solid worldview. We must continue to follow the paths on which God has set us and trust that, under His guidance, we will never be led astray.
“a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;”
Along with praying on our own time, we are summoned to worship in God’s house on the Lord’s Day. These last few months have been difficult and trying for many reasons, but particularly because I have not been able to physically attend church. Sunday Mass is an imperative time to keep silence; it is a time dedicated solely to God. In it, we give our full attention to His word, to prayer, and to giving thanks to Him for all He has given us.
Until recently, I had been silent about my religious beliefs because I recognize that they do not appeal to everyone. My goal in sharing them now is not to drive people further away, but to spread the word of God and share His endless love with others. If these reflections help even one person turn to God, then I will have succeeded in my goal. As a follower of Christ, I am called to rejoice in the life He has given me and to share my journey with others so as to give them hope, with God’s blessing, for better days ahead.
“a time for war, and a time for peace.”
War is necessary when it is the only way to defend ourselves against evil, and it may come about when there are irreconcilable, substantial differences in opinion regarding our basic human rights. Many contemporary conflicts arise when debating moral issues, such as racism, sexual orientation, and abortion. These formerly-taboo topics have become major sources of controversy in recent years, and those who seek to upend Judeo-Christian moral structures are more outspoken about these issues than ever before. As protests turn into riots, some may even argue that a civil war is necessary for modern-day peace.
As mentioned in my last post, I felt that it was apt to begin this series especially in light of recent tumultuous events. If we continue on this path of being divided, combative, and unforgiving, we will continue to lose ourselves and our progress in being a United States. After 9/11, people all across the nation rebuilt and grieved together even though the rubble was settling only in New York. Now, the pandemic that has taken its toll on not only the entire country, but on the whole world, has arguably had the opposite impact; we, as a country, are more divided than ever. We have made everything political; we pit ourselves against each other, blame each other, and hate each other; but this is not what God has called us to do. Rather, we should be understanding of our fellow citizens, and if there are differences and discrepancies to be addressed, we must address them in a civil manner. Discourse should not be limited to the academic classroom or workplace conference room (though even these remaining havens for the expression of ideas are quickly becoming compromised). I strongly believe that if we can learn to engage in civil discourse with those who hold opposing beliefs from ourselves, we can learn from each other and each grow to understand a more complete picture of humankind. We can reconcile our differences and return the light to our society, as one nation under God.
“He has made everything beautiful in its time”
Lovely. Thank you for deconstructing the passage.
Thank you for reading!
I really love this series! Please keep going and spreading the word. We are so divided as a country right now and if people gets saved just by reading this, thank you!! I definitely believe that everything will work out in due time. Thank you for sharing xoxo
I’m so glad to hear you love this series!! Thank you so much for your feedback and for reading; it really helps motivate me to keep doing this, and I hope you stay tuned for next week’s passage as well!
Great post! It’s so important to trust in God’s timing. I love this ““For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven”
I wholly agree!
I think until you go through a difficult period in your life, you don’t really understand how important God’s plan and timing is. I learnt the hard way but now am greatful for everything. ❤️
xoxo Olivia | http://www.oliviaandbeauty.com/
I wholly agree. His timing is difficult to understand sometimes, but ultimately we have to trust in His plan for us and be grateful for how He’s structured our lives.
I really like this, gives me peace and hope. Thank you for sharing
I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed this. Thanks for reading😊
This was beautiful! Thank you so much for your thoughtful words. I can’t wait to read more, this was so uplifting 🙂
Thanks so much for your positive feedback! It’s a joy to hear that this was uplifting for you to read 🙂
Oh I love this verse and how you explained it so well! Thanks for sharing this!
Thanks for reading!
My heart touched. Thanks for sharing. 💜
Thanks for reading!!
This was an incredibly beautiful read and I really enjoyed it! I hope you’re doing well at the moment, my lovely <3 x
Thank you! Hope you’re going well too😊
I love how you explain the verse ♥️😭🙏
Thanks for reading ✨
Lovely! Beautiful piece of writing x
Thank you!
Thank you for the reflection. We need more of this in our world right now.
Thank you for reading!
I really enjoyed reading this, a well
Balanced and respectful to everyone post/comment/discussion on religion can be hard to come by. You explain the verse, talk about your beliefs, and then talk about being respectful and learning from each other. This really is brilliant, and the attitude we need.
Thank you so much for your feedback. I’m glad you enjoyed reading this and hope you tune in for my next Scripture reflection tomorrow!
I really enjoyed reading this. It’s great to have your faith, but I believe it’s important to be respectful of others too. Mixing together and learning from
Each other is so important in these times.
Absolutely – respect can be hard to come by at times, but it’s imperative to have respect when engaging in these kinds of topics.
It is important to stand firm with your beliefs. As far as sharing them, I don’t mind people sharing their beliefs. I learn from other’s beliefs and I am overall respectful towards it. It is great that you’re sharing your views. We need to learn to work things out without having to turn to violence.
Nancy ✨ exquisitely.me
It’s so important to be understanding that people can have different beliefs and not immediately shut them down for it! Thanks for reading 🙂
Thanks for sharing! I really enjoyed the first quote, it’s actually similar to something that my aunt quotes often and now I know why! Timing is so important and more often than not I end up thankful that things did not happen on my schedule. Some things are not meant to be and others are just not meant to be “yet”. I think that having the willingness to adapt is important for living a happy life.
Thanks for the post!
Thanks for your thoughtful feedback. I wholly agree that timing is so important, and we have to learn to work on the timeline He has planned for us!