Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NASB) ‘There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven- A time to give birth and a time to die; A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted. A time to kill and a time to heal; A time to tear 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 throw stones and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing. A time to search and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear apart and a time to sew together; A time to be silent and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate; A time for war and a time for peace. ‘
Time is something I’ve taken for granted. I’ve let time slip by in so many instances, not capitalizing on opportunities and seizing on the gift that is “time”. I’m sure most would share that sentiment with me.
But for all my regrets, there is a peace I find when I realize, that all of the choices and decisions have led to each and every subsequent event. Yes, some have lead to heartache and pain, but so many more have lead to joy, blessings, irreplaceable memories, increasing opportunities, friendships, loves, excitement… you get the point.
The older I get, the more I’m finding the adage, “enjoy every minute, because the older you get, the faster time passes”, to be true. This passage in Ecclesiastes brings confidence that every thing happens on God’s schedule, not our’s. That not one of us is immune from the passage of time and the pains, as well as joys that it brings, but knowing that God is turning that clock, sure makes it so much easier to bare. Have a blessed weekend.
In full pursuit of the greatest Trophy,
Scott Pace
(July 4th Bonus) I wrote this about 3 1/2 years ago, and happened to read it this week and thought I’d share it again to go along with our nation’s birthday party.
“Give Me Liberty”
He already did. From the first breath He breathed into Adam, created in His image, with a mind, will and capacity to make his own choices, with liberty we were created. We chose death. That’s right, liberty, free will, Adam chose sin and death entered the world.
I believe in American exceptionalism. I do, but not because Americans are exceptional. I believe America is exceptional because God is. Because the men of colonial America knew this and were willing to act on this knowledge, God blessed their undertaking. Our founding fathers had a solid grasp of the divine source of liberty and the importance of its preservation. On July 4, 1776, at the Second Continental Congress, our founders adopted The Declaration of Independence. The second sentence has resonated through this country and the world ever since. It states, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, LIBERTY and the pursuit of happiness.” Endowed by their Creator…
War with England had begun over a year prior to the ratification of the Declaration of Independence. On March 23, 1775, in a speech to the Virginia Convention, Patrick Henry proclaimed, “Give Me Liberty, or Give Me Death!” It’s a great quote, as inspiring today as it was then. Those men believed in God’s sovereignty, His justice and that liberty was a divine gift. In liberty, they chose sacrifice of self for others, for a greater purpose, a Godly mission, for… love. God’s reply, liberty. Over the past few days I’ve been contemplating this idea of liberty or death from a Christian perspective. God granted liberty to us, but we chose and continue to choose, death.
From the very beginning, God chose to create us in His image, breathed life into us and allow us liberty and a mind of our own. He allowed us freedom to think and do as we please. Why? The only rationalization I can come up with is love. He is love, the ultimate embodiment of it. He wanted someone to love and someone to love Him in return. The only way that love can be true and powerful is if it is chosen. It has to be freely given. He knew the pain this liberty would produce, but it was a price worth paying for that greatest reward, love.
So, God grants us liberty, which I gladly accept. Next thing I choose is life, Jesus Christ. I choose to accept His great gifts of grace and love. I choose to receive His salvation. I choose life. Finally, casting a broad blanket, I will exercise the liberty He provides and choose to show God and the world the love He so wants and deserves. I choose to serve something greater than myself. With liberty, I choose love.
Galations 5:13 (NKJV) For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
