Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which 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 get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, 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.
This passage is true for everything that exists today. With all the things that are happening in today's world we may tend to forget this. For example the awful hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods that are destroying thousands of homes, people,animals and land. It's hard to see anything good coming out of any of this. Then there's the wars that are going on not to mention the pending threat of others. Let's not forget the political unrest that not only the United States is experiencing but also Mexico and many other nations. It seems as though there is a lot of doom and gloom going on right now. It's easy to get caught up in this doom and gloom that's all around us.....but that's not what we are here for.
If you read the passage completely and not just focus on the doom and gloom you will see that there is a good side also.... there is a time of birth, of planting, of building up, laughter, dancing, gathering stones together ( gathering nations together), embracing, to get, to keep, to sew, to keep silent, to love, and of peace. So in these times when things seem to be at their worst we must also focus on the good that can come out of all of this. This is not easy.....I know. Sometimes I find it difficult to see anything good in all of this. It is at these times that I focus on my faith that God has a purpose for all of this and it is for our good. He did not cause the pain and suffering but he will see us through it. It will not be easy by any means but it can be done.
Jose once told me that people in Mexico don't generally help their neighbors. They help family in times of need but not necessarily strangers. There was a disaster in Mexico a while back and hundreds of people who were strangers to one another were helping to rescue others. Not the military, or the police, but average everyday people. They were the ones helping each other. Hundreds of people were helping to clear away the rubble and provide shelter and food and water for those who had nothing. So something good came out of this horrible disaster....people came together and worked side by side. They prayed together, cried together, laughed and rejoiced together over every miracle of every day. They were a people united.
In America when there is a disaster in any state all the others get together and send help and aid immediately. We are a country united and sometimes divided. We unite in times of emergencies and divide over politics, or beliefs, or injustices....I find it sad that it takes a disaster to bring people closer together. Maybe someday humanity will unite without a disaster waiting in the wings.
I have faith that this time will come because it says so in the passage...." A time to love, and a time to hate, a time of war and a time of peace" we have hate and war......now it's time for love and peace.......Give your questions, pain, anxiety, hate, and anger over to God and have faith that love and peace will come. Do your part and God will always do his.
Prayer:
Our Heavenly Father, we pray that you touch the hearts of your people and give them hearts of peace and love, filled with joy and gratitude for one another, in the name of your son Jesus, we pray your will be done. Amen
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