To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck 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; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to gain, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw 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 of war, and a time of peace. Ecclesiastes 3:1–8
Telling time is a valuable skill which man has improved significantly since the days when the sun was his only timepiece. Primitive clocks using water were introduced in Egypt and Babylon as early as 1600 BC, and the first mechanical clocks probably appeared in Europe sometime during the 13th century. In more recent times, watches that once had to be wound have been replaced with newer models which operate on battery power and even kinetic energy. Man has become very skilled at measuring time, but it seems that he is no better equipped to discern its significance than he has ever been. The Scriptures say that there is a time for everything that needs to be done, and one of the great challenges we face is discerning when it is time for each.
There is a time for action and a time for pause. There were times when the Lord would tell Paul to go (Acts 22:18; 13:2; 16:10–11), and other times when He told him to stay (18:11). Like Moses (Exodus 3–4), we might be content to stay right where we are, but if God tells us to go, we must be ready to obey. Furthermore, while we need to be swifter to hear than we are to speak (James 1:19), there is a time when we must speak up, particularly when it comes to the defense and proclamation of God’s word (Ephesians 6:20). The Lord told His disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4), but Ananias urged Saul not to lose a moment in washing away his sins (Acts 22:16). As Christians we must always be patient, but ready to spring into action when needed.
There is a time to put things on and a time to put them off. There was a time when God told Moses to take off his shoes (Exodus 3:5), and there was a time when an angel told Peter to put his on (Acts 12:8). There comes a time in a person’s life when he needs to put off the old man of sin (Ephesians 4:22–24) and put on Christ in baptism (Galatians 3:27). There was a time when God’s Son emptied Himself out and came to earth to die for men (Philippians 2:5–8), and yet He was still “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). We likewise must empty ourselves in order to be “filled with the fruits of righteousness” (Philippians 1:11). Are you willing to cast yourself aside and put on Christ?
There is a time to resist and a time to give in. The Scriptures tell us that we are to submit to authority, including the government (Romans 13:1–7; 1 Peter 2:13–17) and parents (Ephesians 6:1). The same Scriptures also tell us that disobedience is the only option when authorities bid us to oppose God (Acts 5:29; Joshua 24:15; Acts 14:15; Matthew 10:37). There are things we should cling to, and other things we must put away (1 Thessalonians 5:22). Do you love the Lord enough to let go of and even to oppose practices, doctrines, and even people that you have cherished your whole life?
When it finally comes our “time to die” (Ecclesiastes 3:2), then comes the time for something else––the Judgment (Hebrews 9:27). That time is getting closer every day. If you are not ready for the Judgment, the time for salvation is today (2 Corinthians 6:2)!