The days seem to be passing so quickly this fall. I keep ripping the pages off my calendar, realizing soon it will be time to start a new one. For days now, God has brought me back to a familiar passage about “time”. I think Solomon must have felt this same passing of time when he wrote:
For everything there is a season, for every activity under heaven.(Ecclesiastes 3:1)
From there starts the litany of activities for which there “is a time”. Every activity common to man is mentioned. Twenty-eight activities to be exact. Some are pleasant and fun and enjoyable. Others are painful, uncomfortable, sad and to be avoided at all costs. Some we have no choice in like our birth. Others we are all destined to do – die. And yet, in listing all of the activities, Solomon comes to one conclusion which, a few days ago, hit me to my core:
I’ve decided that there’s nothing better to do than go ahead and have a good time and get the most we can out of life. (verse 12, The Message)
I looked at Solomon’s observation as a piece of advice. Seeing as he is known for his wisdom, this is what I gathered from his advice:
- Life is to be celebrated.
- Each day may not seem like a celebration.
- Celebrate the day you have been given.
There is only one you. Never again will there be another person with your gifts, talents, strengths, weaknesses, looks and character. This is it. You are the you that God has placed in this world. Be you. Embrace all that you are, work hard and make a difference in the environment you have been placed.
Each day, taken by itself, may not seem joyous or to be celebrated. Celebrate anyway! We must all take the good, the bad and the ugly. Open your eyes to see exactly what you are to learn from each day and experience. Today is only a small sliver of the entire scope of time. Each hardship, difficulty, pain and loss has a work to do in our lives. For His purposes. May He be displayed in the midst of it all.
There is only one today. Tomorrow, this day will be done and gone forever. Make the most of today. Seize the good you can do for someone else. Laugh a little. Cry a little, too, for it will keep your heart soft. But laugh more. Love those around you – a little bit more. And deeper too. Pursue Him with all you got. Know why?
You matter.
Celebrate the days you have been given.
Today I joined Thurs. Favorite Things and Time Travel Thurs. and Word Filled Wed. and Thriving Thurs. and Thankful Thurs. and Blog Lovin’ and Little Things Thurs. and Hearts For Home and Thoughtful Thurs. and Share The Joy Thurs. and Thrive At Home Thurs. and Thought Provoking Thurs. .
Thank you for these wise words this day! My life verse is taken from the same set of scripture: “…He has made everything beautiful in its time” so this really speaks to me! When I think about God, I think about time: “For everything there is a season, for every activity under heaven.”
Yes, He is a God of time as well as timing 🙂
Solomon was a wise man. Reading about his life during morning Bible reading, too.
He really had a lot to say about life. Thanks for stopping here!
Very uplifting! Thanks for the insights. I’m going to read Ecclesiastes again. Blessings to you and yours! Marie
Truly beautiful post! One thing I am thankful for in this life of chronic illness is that it keeps me aware of the fleetingness of life and celebrating each small moment!
Shelley – I would think that a chronic illness would surely keep you reminded of the preciousness of each day. May you have a string of good days!
An apt reminder — though I’d add that it’s easy to celebrate the good times and we should be gracious and compassionate with ourselves as we learn to extend blessings to the mad, bad, and sad times.
Meri – a very good point. Thank you so much for sharing.
Thanks, Jo, for this post. Well….it took my breath away…. exactly what God has been speaking to me! I needed to read it here.
Mare
Mare – so grateful that it did!
Such wonderful and wise words. I especially like “celebrate the day you have been given.” Wishing you a wonderful weekend!
wise words, Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop. ♥