ECCLESIASTES  3: 1-8
(all about time)

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal.
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
a time to rend, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.

The writer of these verses talks about the timing of various activities in our lives. Many of these are appropriate now in this time of the corona virus. The virus has changed our thinking about when it is time to do various activities. We could add to the writer’s list:

It is now a time of washing hands, versus a time for shaking hands;
a time of social distancing, versus a time for personal meetings;
a time of isolation, versus a time for social gatherings;
a time of face masks, versus a time of sharing smiles;
a time of distant greetings, versus a time of hugs;
a time of wringing hands, versus a time for holding hands;
a time of personal meditation, versus a time for community worship;
a time to shelter in place, versus a time to work or attend school.

Amid this time of fear and time of uncertainty, we must bide our time. We must withstand the test of time, remembering that God is with us at all times. And, that when our end of time come, we have the promise of eternal life, and that will be a good time indeed.

– Jim Roste

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, we take time in these uncertain times to give thanks and to pray that You will teach us how to tell time, how to discern when it is time to act and when it is time to refrain from activities. We trust in Your timeless love, for You are the Alpha and Omega, from the beginning of time to the end of time. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

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