Today we will read Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8:

1 For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die;
a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted;
3 a time to kill and a time to heal;
a time to break down and a time to build up;
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn and a time to dance;
5 a time to throw away stones and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 a time to seek and a time to lose;
a time to keep and a time to throw away;
7 a time to tear and a time to sew;
a time to keep silent and a time to speak;
8 a time to love and a time to hate;
a time for war and a time for peace.

If you know anything about Ecclesiastes, you knew this passage was coming. Historically, this is among the more well-known passages in all of the bible.  In the 1960s, The Byrds released a song entitled Turn, Turn, Turn, which used this passage as the foundation for the lyrics. If you can’t place the song, click the link, and I can almost promise you’ll know it. 

I think this passage reminds us of two things.  First, many things will happen in life, some good and some bad.  This book is about teaching us where wisdom is found, and I think this passage teaches something so key. 

So, second, do not linger on either the good or the bad.  Live in the moment we have been given.  Do not linger on the past and do not look ahead to the future.  Wisdom is learning to live in the moment that you have been given.  

Do not allow the pain, failure, and the tough times to destroy you. Do not allow the wins and victories and blessings to inflate you. As I’ve heard Tim Keller say, do not allow the failure to go to your heart and do not allow the victory to go to your head.  

Each moment, whether good or bad, is just a moment. They do not define you.  Live today faithfully, joyfully, and prayerfully.  Live in this moment. Not in yesterday’s moment. Not in tomorrow’s moment. Today’s moment.  

All things will come. Some good, some bad. Linger not in them. Live in this moment.  So, yet, turn from them.  Live fully today.  That is where wisdom can be found. 

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