Inspirational Insights: Everything has purpose
Ecclesiastes 3:1, “For everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven”.
Each week I try to watch at least one good movie from start to finish. I enjoy, most of all, true event movies such as “It’s Impossible”, “The Cokeville Miracle”, etc. Some I watch aren’t from true events but tells a very compelling story.
I watched part of a movie the other night entitled “Song”. Unfortunately I missed the first part but the song that was played was from the verse above including verses 1-8. The title, of course, was “Turn, Turn, Turn” and was first recorded in 1959 by The Byrds.
It tells us specifically that for each thing that is done, there is an opposite. We just have to figure out which one applies, according to the timing and the event. Some of them are easy to understand and some we have questioned many times.
For instance, we all know that every person that is born, they will die; when we plant a crop, we also must harvest it; when we cry, we eventually will laugh again. The one I like best is the one that says, “A time to speak and a time to be silent”. In other words, sometimes we just need to shut up and listen. I confess I have often spoken with my mouth before my brain had time to kick into gear.
Others we might have a problem with; a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. Why would there ever be a time to go to war or to hate? Well, look at what’s going on right now in our world and the answer might be right in front of us.
Killing in this verse is not speaking about premeditated murder. I believe it’s in response to a just war that has to do with specific situations that confront us. We should determine spiritually when aggression should be met with resistance and when there should be a compromise of healing. A physical war, right now, is being fought without justification. Then there are the times when we must fight spiritual wars for truth, freedom, the rights of our country and for others, and the mission of ministry.
Love and hate are both needed, provided we love and hate the proper things. We must protest against evil and “war” against those who promote evil. Many times the very things we love are the things that we should hate. Yes, we have people who are kind and loving but we must not forget that we live in an evil world.
For the people in Ukraine that are going through such terrible times, this is their time to mourn. My prayers for them is that there will come a day soon when they will be able to dance again and rejoice in a new life that awaits them.
I would like for each one of you to read Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. Take one verse at a time and think of two things; the world view and the spiritual view of each one.
Yes, everything has a purpose. Even today with all the turmoil and strife going on, I believe with all my heart that God has a purpose for it, according to His will and His purposeful timing.
The meaning of purpose is “the reason for which something is done or created”. God created it. Shouldn’t we follow His guide in deciding what should be done?
“A time for peace, I swear it's not too late”.
(This week our church will be praying for people along Bedford St., Main St., and Front St., in the Jenners area. We ask that you remember them this week in your daily prayers. If you have any requests please send them to me at the email below.)
(Nancy Stoppe of Jenners is affiliated with Jenner Township Baptist Church, Boswell. She can be contacted at stoppe123@comcast.net.)
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Nancy Stoppe column about purpose
