A Daily Devotion for Wednesday, June 3

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.

What is it about these verses that makes them so powerful and tender at the same time? We are human beings, created in the image of God, just as he planned for us to be. And our lives are not accidents, mistakes or coincidences. Our lives are full of all of these “times”. God imagined lives for us which are rich with experiences and opportunities. Maybe one of the things I love about the verses is that they allow for all sorts of happiness and sadness, love, loss, abundance and need. This is how our lives move along. When we are going through a difficult time, we can know this to be a part of life. God did not abandon us to some accidental “hell on earth.” We are going through a time, which will pass. We are going with God, as He planned.

Holy Lord, I am thankful for all that you lead me through. But I am most thankful that you are by my side. Amen

Becky, transforming