Ecclesiastes 3:1 – “To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven.”
Today’s One Year Bible reading begins the book of Ecclesiastes in the Old Testament. The opening verse of chapter 3 is a classic. We are told there is a time for every purpose under heaven. We are also told there is a season for everything. I have tried to adopt this “seasonal” thinking in my life. I have thought many times about the ebbs and flows of life and tried to develop a rhythm that works best for me. Rhythmic seasonal living helps me to make the most of “in season” family times and ministry times. It helps me to emphasize certain things and deemphasize others. It helps me to grab chunks of time rather than bits and pieces here and there. It has also helped me to be at peace when a season is over, rather than trying to extend the season and cause things to die that simply needed rest. It is a Sabbath mentality for sure and it is God’s plan. We need rest and the things around us need rest so that all can be more fruitful when it’s the right season.
Verse 11 says, “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” Notice when things are beautiful: in its time. Not before its time, but in its time. Before its time it doesn’t look so hot. But when it’s God’s time…beautiful. Don’t rush it. Wait for God’s time.
Think about putting your planner aside that has months and days and hourly time slots. Use that for organizational purposes such as: “I have an appointment at such and such a time”. Think about the big picture over the course of the year. When are you more productive? When does your family need you more? When is work the most hectic? When do things slow down? Think about every question that affects your life. Put the answers to those questions in a seasonal format (for example: January is hectic, February, March and April are building months. May is consolidating the gains. June, July and August are slower. These are also months that I can take advantage of family time. September through Thanksgiving are busy growth months. Thanksgiving through the end of the year everyone is thinking about other things. I can have some down time with family and plan for the upcoming year).
Thinking seasonally and living rhythmically will cause you to be more productive, more focused, and less stressed. Some things are getting ready to enter their season. These require a lot of energy and planning to be successful. Other things have lived out their season and are beginning to stink. Cut them off now. They are draining the life out of other things you could be doing. Other things are in season right now and they are beautiful. Enjoy them .. and by all means , share the joys with your family. They deserve your best.