Jul
17
Written by:
host
7/17/2009 7:00 AM
The writer of the third chapter of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 reminds us that there is a season and a time for everything. When I was younger, half of these verses did not make sense to me. I understood the part about there being a time for those things in the list which seemed positive; for being born, healing, building up, laughing, dancing, throwing away stones, embracing, seeking, keeping, sewing, speaking, loving and being peaceful.
It has taken me longer to appreciate that the remainder of the actions in these verses can also be positives.
Yes, there is a time for…
- dying – which offers a greater appreciation of living
- plucking up what is planted – weeding to allow other plants to grow
- killing – of hatred, poisonous attitudes, gossip
- breaking down – of barriers, for example
- weeping – sometimes it’s the only response that makes sense
- mourning – providing recognition that loss has occurred
- gathering stones together – to build, rather than to throw
- refraining from embracing – in destructive relationships
- losing – bad habits
- throwing away – exhibiting generosity and not holding on to that which we do not need
- tearing – breaking down to start anew
- keeping silence – when what you have to say would only hurt
- hating – injustice, discrimination, violence
- making war – on poverty, hunger and homelessness
Similarly, just as last Friday I took time to say YES!, there is also a time to say NO.
Today I am choosing to say…
- NO to silence that conveys agreement to hurtful comments made by others.
- NO to making excuses for not taking time to pray.
- NO to complaining just to have something to say.
- NO to letting other people dictate my self-image.
- NO to jumping to conclusions.
- NO to indifference.
What are you choosing to say NO to today?
~Sally Hoelscher