Day #5: Time and Eternity

For everything there is an appointed time, and an appropriate time for every activity on earth: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to uproot what was 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. (Ec 3:1-4)

 

Solomon writes a poetic section about the passage of time (Ec 3:1-8). There is a proper time for everything.  Life is full of many wondrous experiences, and they each have their place.  The passage of time also reminds us of our mortality.  It lets us know how small we are in the grand scheme of things.  It humbles us. 

 

God has made everything fit beautifully in its appropriate time, but he has also placed ignorance in the human heart so that people cannot discover what God has ordained, from the beginning to the end of their lives. (Ec 3:11)

 

Solomon sees the beauty in the balance and order God has ordained. He also sees the mystery of God's plan. Certainly, because we have been made in God's image, we have a sense of eternity that no other creature on earth possesses.  But there also is a great mystery related to how our life will unfold and where we go when we die.  Throughout history man has embraced the eternal nature of the human soul.  It’s almost unfathomable to think that we merely cease to exist when we die.  Virtually all religions seek to answer this question.  And these questions should guide how we live our lives.

 

I have concluded that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to enjoy themselves as long as they live, and also that everyone should eat and drink, and find enjoyment in all his toil, for these things are a gift from God. (Ec 3:12-13)

 

Solomon's answer to the question of eternity is simple.  Live in the present.  There is great wisdom in this.  Many people live in the past, or in the future.  Living in the present is evidence of strong mental health.  Jesus emphasized living for today as a cure for anxiety.

 

So then, don’t worry saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For the unconverted pursue these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. So then, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own. (Mt 6:31-34)

 

Moses also comments on this topic in Psalm 90.


Yes, in your eyes a thousand years are like yesterday that quickly passes, or like one of the divisions of the nighttime. You bring their lives to an end and they “fall asleep.” In the morning they are like the grass that sprouts up; in the morning it glistens and sprouts up; at evening time it withers and dries up. (Ps 90:4-6)

 

Moses gives wise advice about our stewardship of time. He says to use each day wisely.

 

So teach us to consider our mortality, so that we might live wisely.  (Ps 90:12)

 

None of us can add or subtract from the time God allots to us. But we can live each day to the fullest for the glory of God. We often waste time. We also allocate our time to the wrong things. We need rest and refreshment to recuperate from past challenges and prepare for future. We need balance to make sure our priorities are given proper attention. Above all we need to seek first the Kingdom of God and be a good steward of whatever time He gives us.


Questions to consider:

 

  1. How well do you manage your time?
  2. What’s the secret to keeping the balance between workaholism and laziness?
  3. In your opinion what’s the best way to invest your time for eternity?

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Day #28: Remember Your Creator

So remember your Creator in the days of your youth— before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”; before the sun and the light of the moon and the stars grow dark, and the clouds disappear after the rain; when those who keep watch over the house begin to tremble, and the virile men begin to stoop over, and the grinders begin to cease because they grow few, and those who look through the windows grow dim, and the doors along the street are shut; when the sound of the grinding mill grows low, and one is awakened by the sound of a bird, and all their songs grow faint, and they are afraid of heights and the dangers in the street; the almond blossoms grow white, and the grasshopper drags itself along, and the caper berry shrivels up— because man goes to his eternal home, and the mourners go about in the streets— before the silver cord is removed, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is shattered at the well, or the water whe...
Read more

Day #23: Fractured Fairy Tale

The way Solomon handles the topic of wisdom is quite curious.  Certainly, his strongest quality is his wisdom, and yet he isn't afraid to point out the weakness of wisdom.  He tells the story of a poor but wise man who could have saved the city, if only someone would listen to him…   This is what I also observed about wisdom on earth, and it is a great burden to me: There was once a small city with a few men in it, and a mighty king attacked it, besieging it and building strong siege works against it. However, a poor but wise man lived in the city, and he could have delivered the city by his wisdom, but no one listened to that poor man. So I concluded that wisdom is better than might, but a poor man’s wisdom is despised; no one ever listens to his advice. (Ec 9:13-16)   We have a small city with a few men in it, up against a mighty king with an overwhelming plan to defeat it.   In this small city there lived a poor man who happened to possess great wisdo...
Read more

Day #29: The Whole Duty of Man

Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also taught knowledge to the people; he carefully evaluated and arranged many proverbs. The Teacher sought to find delightful words, and to write accurately truthful sayings. The words of the sages are like prods, and the collected sayings are like firmly fixed nails; they are given by one shepherd. Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. There is no end to the making of many books, and much study is exhausting to the body.  (Ec 12:9-12) Concluding Colophon Commentators tend to agree that Ec 12:9-12 fits the pattern of a concluding colophon.  A colophon is typically at the beginning or ending of a manuscript where the copyist includes some personal information or observation.  In this case a third person is commenting on Solomon's literary approach.  Some highlights of this colophon are that Solomon was a wise teacher and that he taught in a systematic way which carefully evaluated and arranged his proverbs. ...
Read more