| “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens …” |
| —Ecclesiastes 3:1 |
Have you ever stopped to consider what time is this in your life? What do I mean? I’m asserting that in our lives we have specific times or seasons through which we pass, as we move from one time in our lives to another. If my assertion rings true for you, then I ask again: “Have you ever stopped to consider what time is this in your life?” And, do you even care? At the end of his life, King Solomon cared. In fact, he cared enough that he penned these words found in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8:
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
No matter how we may choose to answer the question—“What time is this in our lives?”—we can move forward into this new day knowing that God has charted a pathway for us. His pathway includes every possible joy, and maybe a few periods of testing, even sorrow. Each of these seasons in our lives will ultimately secure for us the best possible existence that He has to offer us. As the Potter, He will shape us as His clay into the best form, in order to serve His purposes and share His mercy, grace, and love with those around us.
I’ve quoted Adelaide Addison Pollard’s hymn several times over the years I’ve written posts on this blog. It speaks to our response to the seasons of our lives: 1
Have Thine own way, Lord, have Thine own way;
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.
Have Thine own way, Lord, have Thine own way;
Search me and try me, Master, today.
Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now,
As in Thy presence humbly I bow.
Have Thine own way, Lord, have Thine own way;
Wounded and weary, help me, I pray.
Power, all power, surely is Thine,
Touch me and heal me, Savior divine.
Have Thine own way, Lord, have Thine own way;
Hold o’er my being absolute sway.
Fill with Thy Spirit till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me
May we pray the words of this hymn as our prayer today. Amen.
| 1 Pollard, Adelide A. “Have Thine Own Way, Lord.” Publlic Domain. This Hymn is included in various Hymnals that are copyrighted by the publisher of the Hymnal. Citation of Copyrighted material is made on this blog post strictly for Educational Fair Use illustration purposes only. All Rights Reserved by the original Copyright Holder. |
