A Time for Everything
“There is a season (a time appointed) for everything and a time for every delight and event or purpose under heaven—” Ecclesiastes 3:1 AMP
Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us there is a time for everything and a season for everything under the heavens. I love these words. They are inspiring and offer hope to each of us. Just knowing that regardless of our season, it is only for a time because God is directing our path.
If you find yourself full of doubt or hesitant to believe the words found in Ecclesiastes 3:1, ask yourself what is it that keeps you from believing? Is there anything in your life that you may be hanging onto that you are being called to let go of?
Life is full of twists and turns. As you grow spiritually, you may be called to new places, or perhaps you are called to return to old places. Wherever God is calling you, it is significant to your journey to step out in faith. Trust God and follow Him.
A few weeks ago, I asked the question, who are you following? I encouraged you to free yourselves from anything and everything that hinders your walk with Christ. It’s letting of the past to embrace the next step, the next season. So, I ask you, who are you relying on to lead you in your journey? This week, let’s take time to reflect on the scriptures and seek God’s direction for where He is leading you.
A Time to Search and a Time to Stop
“A time to search and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep and a time to throw away.” Ecclesiastes 3:6 AMP
As you read these words, is there anything you are refusing to walk away from in your life? Is God leading you in a different direction, and you find yourself afraid to give up the job, title, or home to follow Him? What is the reason you are unwilling to let it go? Is it due to the significance of the title? Is your identity wrapped up in your job? Is your current situation all about your image, and your concern is what others will think of you if you walk away or change direction?
We’ve all been there. We seek God and prayerfully reflect on His word for our next step, and then He speaks to us. It’s that powerful moment where God calls us to leave our job, move to another state or perhaps another country, and place our trust in Him. God calls us, and what do we do? We freeze! A million what-ifs run through our minds. What if it’s not God speaking? What if I fail? What if it is too hard for me? What will others say? My friend, when doubt fills your mind, and you listen to the doubts over God’s voice, you are not following God. You are following the noise of the world. The distractions and the chaos are of the world because God does not bring confusion or fear.
There will be seasons where you are called to pursue your dreams, and there will be seasons where God will call you to end your pursuit of those dreams and goals. However difficult this may be for you, in order to live life in the fullness of Christ, you must be obedient to whatever and wherever God is calling you. And that may be to stop doing something you love or give up a dream to follow Him.
How will you know the call is from God? God will always bring you peace and clarity. God will also leave the decision up to you. His plans for you are not dependent upon the world’s standards or approval. God determines your steps, and He knows what is best for you.
Is there anything in your life God is calling you to give up so that you can move into the beautiful plans He has designed for you?
A Time to Hold On and a Time to Let Go
What are you holding on to and why? Are you holding on to the past or your current situation due to your fear of the unknown? Are you hanging on to what was because you do not have any hope for the future?
Take a moment and think through these questions. What is holding you back? What is keeping you stuck? And, most importantly, how can you move into all God has planned for you if you keep looking back at what was?
It’s not that we can’t look back and reflect on our past, but we are called to live in the present, not the past. God is calling us to move into the future – the future He has planned for us. We were each created for a specific reason. God wants so much more for us. He wants eternity for us, which is why we feel that emptiness when we are not following God.
Do you ever feel like there is more that you should be doing? Do you ever feel that there is more out there, but you’re just not sure what that more is? My friend, it is natural for us to feel and believe there is something more because there is more!
To quote one of my favorite professors, Dr. Noel Forlini Burt, “life is a series of leaving, and we make certain decisions when we leave. Decisions on what things we will take with us (those things we keep holding on to) and what things we will leave behind.”
Reflecting on these words, what decisions do you need to make this week about the things you will bring with you and the things you will let go of as you move forward?
God Placed Eternity in Our Hearts
Our seasons are forever changing. Your season at this time may be one of blessings, or it may be one of great difficulty. Whatever season you are experiencing, know that God is leading you, and it is temporary. How you respond to God and trust in Him determines your path. Your daily decisions will influence your journey. What you take with you and what you let go of will impact every step you take.
Today, this very moment, will you choose faith and trust in God, or will you hold on to what was and allow the noise of the world to lead you?
God Set Eternity in the Heart of Man
“He has made everything beautiful and appropriate in its time. He has also planted eternity [a sense of divine purpose] in the human heart [a mysterious longing which nothing under the sun can satisfy, except God]—yet man cannot find out (comprehend, grasp) what God has done (His overall plan) from the beginning to the end.
I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good as long as they live; and also that every man should eat and drink and see and enjoy the good of all his labor—it is the gift of God. I know that whatever God does, it endures forever; nothing can be added to it nor can anything be taken from it, for God does it so that men will fear and worship Him [with awe-filled reverence, knowing that He is God]. That which is has already been, and that which will be has already been, for God seeks what has passed by [so that history repeats itself].”
There is nothing better than to rejoice and do good.
Keep on shining!
