A Time For Everything

A Time For Everything

My deck is surrounded by trees which create the most magnificent playground for dozens of birds.

It starts in the springtime with the activity and songs sung as these beautiful little creatures bring comfort and peace. I could enjoy sitting for hours watching all the activity.

Although there is rest and restoration in sitting, meditating, and spending my quiet time here I am reminded that there is also a time to toil and work hard. They are not in conflict with one another, but a balance needed between them. Finding the balance sometimes is not so easy but required.

Often we get so busy we forget to allow our souls to catch up to us.

I heard a story about a man in a village. The overseer in charge drove the workers hard and traveled long distances; the workers were faithful and diligent. One morning, after working six days and traveling miles into the forest, the overseer said to the lead man, “It is time to start out for the day’s work and travel. Gather the men and we shall go.” The worker said, “No.”

“What do you mean by saying no,” demanded the overseer. The worker’s response is wisdom. He said, “We have been working hard and we must stop and let our souls catch up to us.”

There needs to be a balance. We need to “allow our souls to catch up with us.”  There is life to the fullest to be had; that is true. But there are seasons in our lives that if we push hard we can miss them all together. In Ecclesiastes, there is a poem that was put into a song by the rock band, The Birds, that reflect what I’m talking about. Here are the words:

A Time for Everything

“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 tear, 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.”

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 English Standard Version (ESV)

There is a season, a time to get up a time to lay down a time and every purpose under heaven. These words speak to so many seasons in all of our lives. And yet…how often are we willing to embrace a season past or stay so busy we miss the season we are in. There are the seasons of great joy and adventure. There are also seasons in our lives that have great pain and sadness. There are seasons of great trial and challenge.  In all of the seasons, sometimes, we forget we are not alone.

We need to stop and let our soul catch up with us.

We have access to our Heavenly Father through Jesus Christ. We have the Holy Spirit that can dwell within us to strengthen and empower us. The Holy Spirit reminds us all that Jesus taught and above all, we have the authority of Jesus and the power of Jesus’ name. It is the name above all names. His authority is above all others.

But unless we stop and acknowledge the season we are in with its: joys and tears; successes and failures; our strengths and weaknesses; with our struggles and fears, we can’t ask for help and guidance. In John Jesus tells us that life will not be void of challenges or great sadness but that we can still have peace in the midst of our circumstances. Listen to what Jesus says:

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33 English Standard Version (ESV)

I remember a time in my life a month or so after my husband at the time named Marvin had his eighth heart attack. I was at a retreat and felt like God was asking me to give up one gift, the gift of joy for another, peace. I loved having the God-given gift of joy. It was a hallmark of my life. Peace, although often sought after, wasn’t as appealing as joy. But, I felt like it was a God invitation and chose to trust God even though I didn’t understand. I didn’t need to understand I just needed to listen to that still small voice and obey. This was in October of 1992 Marvin went to be with the Lord March 1993. God knew that peace would carry me through what was ahead in my life. I am grateful for His words. I am grateful I trusted them.

But, I didn’t do it alone. Earlier in John, Jesus tells us we are not alone. This is what He tells us:

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

John 14:26-27 English Standard Version (ESV)

I can’t imagine trying to make it on my own without the help of my Heavenly Father.

It’s a heart issue.

The world and those around us can help with the logistics of life but they cannot heal the heart. We need those around us, no doubt about it, but only our Heavenly Father has the ability to heal a heart and give strength and courage when we are afraid or uncertain. Only God has the ability to provide us with that peace that passes understanding and a will to go on.

It is in these places that we need to stop, let our soul catch up to us so we can tap into our heart and know we are not alone. We can in the midst of it all hear that still small voice and know that our Heavenly Father is holding us close to His heart.

In that place, we can have peace.

Today are you willing to stop for a bit, let your soul catch up to you, and ask God to meet you where you are?

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